NEW DELHI: Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has moved the Delhi high court seeking legal protection against the alleged unauthorised use of her name, image, likeness and other distinctive aspects of her persona. Justice Vikas Mahajan is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.Ranaut has asked the court to intervene over what she claims is the unauthorised commercial exploitation of her identity and personality. Her plea seeks protection of her personality and publicity rights, which broadly cover attributes such as a person’s name, image, voice, likeness and signature.The matter comes against the backdrop of the Delhi high court having previously granted similar protection to public figures in cases involving alleged unauthorised commercial use of their identity.Among those whose personality and publicity rights have been protected by the court is actor Amitabh Bachchan. In his case, the court restrained unauthorised use of his name, image, voice and likeness.The court has also granted protection to actor Anil Kapoor against misuse of his personality traits, including his name, image, likeness, voice and distinctive expressions, restraining entities from commercially exploiting those attributes without authorisation.Similar orders have been passed in cases concerning actors Rajinikanth, Jackie Shroff, Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam, where proceedings involved alleged unauthorised use of their identity or persona.Personality rights are intended to protect individuals from the unauthorised commercial exploitation of distinctive attributes associated with their identity. At the same time, public figures remain subject to public discussion and reporting based on their public activities.The courts have generally drawn a distinction between legitimate discussion or reporting about a public figure and the commercial exploitation of that person’s distinctive identity or personality attributes without consent.Kangana Ranaut’s plea will be considered by the Delhi high court on Thursday, when Justice Vikas Mahajan is scheduled to take up the matter.(With agency inputs)
