Actor Manoj Bajpayee has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking protection against the unauthorized commercial use of his name, image, likeness, voice, and other personal attributes. The suit, filed recently, targets 13 defendants including companies selling merchandise, digital platforms, AI service providers, YouTube, Amazon Seller Services, government departments, and unidentified individuals, alleging misuse ranging from merchandise sales to AI-generated images and voice cloning, according to medianama.com.
The petition details a wide range of distinctive attributes that Bajpayee claims are exclusively associated with him, such as his name, image, voice, tone, dialogue delivery, signature, gestures, style, expressions, mannerisms, catchphrases, and specific dialogues. Bajpayee argues that these collectively form his commercial identity, which can only be exploited with his authorization. The filing highlights that unauthorized use of his name or its variations can falsely imply endorsement or affiliation, while the claim over his voice includes its imitation, dubbing, and digital replication.
This legal move comes amid growing concerns over the commercial exploitation of celebrity personas, especially with advances in AI technology enabling voice cloning and image generation. Bajpayee's case raises important questions about performers’ rights, copyright infringement, and the regulation of AI-generated content. It also reflects broader industry challenges as digital platforms and AI services increasingly intersect with intellectual property and personality rights.
The petition names 13 defendants and includes claims of passing off, copyright infringement, infringement of performers’ rights, and tarnishment. The Delhi High Court is now set to examine the scope of personality rights in the digital and AI era, with the case expected to influence future legal standards on unauthorized commercial use of personal attributes.