New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a strong rebuke against the unauthorised use of Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s name, image, and persona, ruling that such exploitation without consent not only results in commercial loss but also undermines her dignity and reputation.

Granting an interim injunction, the court restrained several websites, companies, and unidentified persons from misusing her identity, particularly through digital and AI-generated content.

Also Read

placeholder

To satisfy someone’s sexual desires: Aishwarya Rai moves Delhi HC over AI misuse of her images

Presiding over the case, Justice Tejas Karia stated that the unauthorised use of a public figure’s identity, including their name, image, likeness, or signature, infringes upon their personality and publicity rights, causing confusion, false endorsement, and reputational damage. The court noted that such actions dilute Rai’s goodwill and infringe her reputation and goodwill.

The injunction prohibits the defendants from:

  • Exploiting Rai’s identity for commercial gain
  • Misrepresenting her as endorsing any goods or services
  • Creating or disseminating AI-generated, deepfake, morphed, or manipulated content
  • Using her likeness across any advertising, merchandise, or digital platforms without consent

The court directed Google LLC and various e-commerce platforms to disable the flagged URLs within 72 hours of receiving notice. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Technology were also instructed to issue directions to block the identified links. Furthermore, Google and the relevant platforms must submit, in a sealed cover, all available Basic Subscriber Information relating to the offenders.

Representing Aishwarya Rai were Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi and a legal team comprising Pravin Anand, Ameet Naik, Madhu Gadodia, Dhruv Anand, and Udita Patro.

The Court acknowledged Aishwarya as one of India's most renowned public figures and a global brand ambassador. It stressed that the misuse of her persona, particularly through AI tools like deepfakes and face morphing, was both unauthorised and harmful.

Senior Advocate Sethi detailed the scope of the violations, which included unauthorised use of Rai’s name on merchandise such as mugs, T-shirts, and drinkware, as well as false business associations, including a fraudulent company named ‘Aishwarya Nation Wealth’ that listed her as Chairperson without consent. He also pointed to the circulation of obscene and AI-manipulated content, describing it as a gross invasion of privacy and dignity.

Counsel for Google, Advocate Mamta Rani, noted that the platform could act only upon specific URLs flagged for removal. Justice Karia acknowledged this limitation, remarking that while a uniform order would be ideal, tailored injunctions may be required depending on the extent of each violation. The Court clarified that Rai is entitled to submit individual URLs for takedown or use the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) mechanism to ensure wider enforcement.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 15, 2026. The interim injunction will remain in effect until then, continuing to protect Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s personality and publicity rights.

ANI