Suggested Topics :
The push for protecting personality rights of artists and public figures has gained momentum in the age of deepfakes and generative AI, with several notable celebrities approaching the courts to secure their name, likeness and voice
The Madras High Court has passed an interim order in favour of protecting legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja’s personality rights, temporarily prohibiting the use of his name, likeness and other media on social media platforms and digital channels.
The push for protecting personality rights of artists and public figures has gained momentum in the age of deepfakes and generative AI, with several notable celebrities in India approaching the courts to secure their name, likeness and voice.
According to Live Law, the Madras High Court found a prima facie case in favour of Ilaiyaraaja, granted interim relief in a suit seeking protection of his personality rights. The court order prohibits YouTube channels, music companies, and social media handles from using his photograph, voice, or digitally manipulated likeness without his prior permission.
Ilaiyaara’s counsel, Senior Advocate S. Prabakaran, argued that several media outlets and YouTube channels were misappropriating and fabricating the musician’s identity for commercial gain. The counsel produced multiple screenshots to support the claim, reports stated.
The court has directed the respondents to file their counter-affidavits.
“Since the plaintiff has made out a prima facie case, there shall be an interim order restraining the defendants from interfering with the personality rights of the plaintiff with respect to his name and image, photographs, comical and animated image, voice or any attributes identifiable with him by exploiting it in any manner without his authorisation,” the order stated, as quoted by Live Law.
Earlier in October, Ilaiyaraaja had approached the Madras High Court alleging unauthorised use of one of his songs in the hit film Dude starring Pradeep Ranganathan. The composer argued that the producers had used the track without his permission.
A similar copyright dispute concerned the use of three Ilaiyaraaja songs in the soundtrack of Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly. The film was temporarily removed from Netflix following a restraining injunction. A revised version without the songs was later reinstated on the platform.