Delhi High Court directs takedown of posts with unauthorised merchandise of Sunil Gavaskar as well as his fake quotes
The Delhi High Court asked Meta, X Corp, and different e-commerce platforms to oversee the removal of social media posts attributing incorrect remarks to former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and pages selling products in his name without authorization. Sunil Gavaskar’s counsel contended that such remarks could gravely jeopardize his reputation as a broadcaster and cricket pundit on current events.
Delhi High Court Grants Ex-Parte Injunction Protecting R. Madhavan’s Personality Rights Against AI Deepfakes, Pornographic Content and Unauthorised Merchandise
The Delhi High Court granted an extensive ex-parte ad-interim injunction in favour of actor R. Madhavan, restraining multiple defendants and unidentified parties from unauthorised commercial exploitation of his name, image, likeness and voice through AI-generated deepfake videos, morphed pornographic content, and sale of infringing merchandise. Recognising Madhavan’s well-established personality and publicity rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, the Copyright Act, 1957 and common law, the Court held that such unauthorised use causes irreparable harm to his goodwill and dignity. The Court directed immediate takedown of infringing content across YouTube, Instagram, websites and e-commerce platforms within strict timelines, failing which intermediaries were ordered to disable access and disclose basic subscriber and IP details. The Court further restrained the defendants from any future misuse of Madhavan’s persona through AI or other technologies, emphasising that such commercial deepfake content is not protected by free speech or fair dealing principles.
Read order here.
Bombay High Court directs takedown of morphed images of Shilpa Shetty which were made using AI
The Bombay High Court deemed the AI (artificial intelligence)-generated and modified photographs of actor Shilpa Shetty “extremely disturbing and shocking” and ordered major social media companies to immediately delete and remove all such links and websites. The actress moved the Bombay High Court for protection of her personality rights, alleging that AI tools were used to clone her voice and mannerisms to make modified photos, books, and other items without her permission. The actress also filed an injunction application seeking direction to remove the content and prohibiting them from utilizing her name, voice, or image without permission.
Novex Communications Pvt. Ltd. v. The Phoenix Mills Ltd. & Ors.: Bombay High Court Grants Ad-Interim Injunction for Unauthorised Public Performance of Sound Recordings
By an order dated 19 December 2025, the Bombay High Court granted ad-interim injunction in favour of Novex Communications Private Limited against The Phoenix Mills Limited and Others in a quia timet copyright infringement action. The Court held that Novex had made out a prima facie case of ownership and licensing rights over the concerned sound recordings through assignment and exclusive licence agreements and accepted video and affidavit evidence showing unauthorised public performance of its repertoire at events held at the defendants’ premises in September and October 2025. Rejecting the defendants’ contention that they were not liable as the events were organised by third parties, the Court relied on Section 51(a)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957, holding that permitting premises to be used for profit for infringing communication itself constitutes infringement. The Court distinguished the Division Bench decision in Phonographic Performance Ltd. v. Avion Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., noting that Section 51(a)(ii) had not been considered therein, and accordingly restrained the defendants from communicating Novex’s sound recordings or allowing their premises to be used for infringing acts pending disposal of the suit.
Read order here.
Bombay High Court refuses stay on ‘Saat Samundar Paar’ song in the film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri
Trimurti Films Pvt Ltd. was denied urgent interim relief by the Bombay High Court after it sued Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Saregama India for allegedly infringing copyright by using a remixed version of the 1992 song “Saat Samundar Paar” in the upcoming film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri.
Read order here.
Kapil Sharma and the producers of the show sued for infringement of copyright before the Bombay High Court
Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) has moved the Bombay High Court seeking relief against comedian Kapil Sharma’s production companies for alleged copyright infringement in his Netflix show ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’. Sound recording owners have filed a lawsuit against K-9 Films Private Limited, BeingU Studios Private Limited, Kapil Sharma, Bhavneet Kaur, Akshit Lahoria, and Gurjot Singh, the production companies and directors behind the show that is currently streaming on Netflix. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh granted the defendants two weeks to respond to the plea.
Delhi High Court issues directions to curb online frauds – DNRs to lose safe harbour in certain cases
In a landmark ruling addressing the growing problems of criminal activities, online fraud, and trademark misuse, the Delhi High Court has issued broad orders to domain name registrars (DNRs), banks, government institutions, and law enforcement agencies in a batch of matters.
Bombay High Court injuncted Fedex Securities Private Limited from using ‘Fedex’ in trademark case
The Bombay High Court prohibited Fedex Securities Private Limited and its group firms from using the mark ‘FEDEX’, citing trademark infringement, passing off, and dilution of Federal Express Corporation’s well-known mark. Justice RI Chagla ruled that Fedex Securities’ use of ‘Fedex’ for financial services violated and degraded FedEx’s well-known trademark.
A commercial court at Tis Hazari in Delhi has passed an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against digital impersonation of ‘Badshah Broking’
A commercial court in Tis Hazari, Delhi, has granted an ex-parte ad interim injunction in favour of financial educator Sehdev Sehgal and his associated entities, restraining unknown impersonators and directing major online platforms to take action against large-scale digital impersonation and alleged online fraud carried out in the name of ‘Badshah broking’.
