Playback legend Kumar Sanu has formally petitioned the Delhi High Court to safeguard his personality and publicity rights, including his renowned voice and artistic signature. The court has slated October 13 for the hearing of his case.
Represented by experienced legal professionals, Sanu’s petition addresses the critical issue of unauthorized commercial exploitation of his identity. It specifically calls for protection under the Copyright Act for his name, vocal characteristics, unique singing approach, and public image. The singer has lodged a complaint regarding the continuous misuse of his name, voice, mannerisms, and likeness, which extends to images and photographs.
A major focus of the petition is the alarming rise of AI-generated content that precisely replicates his voice and facial features. Kumar Sanu highlights that these unauthorized digital creations, including GIFs and videos, are being leveraged for monetary profit and, regrettably, for demeaning purposes or humor. The lawsuit explicitly states that these AI-created audios, videos, and merchandise are actively being monetized on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, thereby generating revenue for the unauthorized users.
Sanu’s legal team argues that these activities amount to false endorsements and misrepresentation (‘passing off’). They are therefore seeking a judicial injunction to prevent any further unauthorized use of his name and creative assets. The suit emphasizes that the revenue stream generated by these infringing digital assets through social media engagement directly benefits those who have misappropriated his identity. This legal action by Kumar Sanu aligns with previous protective measures sought by celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan and Anil Kapoor regarding their valuable publicity rights.