In a major move, filmmaker and producer Karan Johar has approached the Delhi High Court seeking to protect his name and image from being used for commercial purposes without his permission. Following in the footsteps of stars like Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, Johar is taking a stand against the unauthorized use of his identity to sell merchandise or generate funds online.
The case was heard in court on Monday, where Johar’s legal team presented evidence of his name and photographs being exploited across various websites and social media platforms. This is a growing trend among celebrities who are fighting to protect their Personality Rights in the digital age.
What Is The Case About?
During the hearing today, Karan Johar’s lawyer argued that numerous online accounts have been using the filmmaker’s photos and persona without any consent. Some social media pages even operate under his name, misleading the public. The lawyer stated that Johar has the full right to decide where and how his identity is used for commercial gain, and just because he hadn’t taken action before doesn’t mean people have permission to misuse his image.
The Court’s Careful Approach
The court acknowledged the issue but also proceeded with caution. The judge noted that a clear line needs to be drawn between outright commercial exploitation and harmless content like memes or fan pages. Lawyers for Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) also argued that a blanket order could lead to problems, as it might affect ordinary fan interactions and jokes that aren’t malicious. The court agreed that not every fan page can be ordered to be taken down.
What Happens Next?
To ensure that only the actual violators are targeted, the court has asked Karan Johar’s team to come back with a specific list of the websites or social media accounts that are clearly misusing his persona for profit. The judge indicated that targeted take-down orders could be issued against these specific accounts. The court will consider the matter again after the list is submitted. This move aims to protect Johar’s rights without stifling genuine fan expression online.
About Karan Johar
Karan Johar, often referred to as KJo, is one of the most influential filmmakers, producers, and television personalities in Bollywood. As the head of Dharma Productions, he has directed blockbuster films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. He is also famous for hosting the popular celebrity chat show, Koffee with Karan.
(Also read: NGE Takes A Strong Stand: Sajid Nadiadwala’s Production House Files Complaint Against Malicious Reviewers )
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