The Delhi High Court issued a significant directive on Tuesday. It ordered the immediate removal of images featuring popular YouTuber and actor Bhuvan Bam. These images had been uploaded and circulated across various digital platforms without his explicit consent.
Court Takes Cautious Approach on Broader Rights
However, the court adopted a measured stance on a larger issue. It refrained from granting interim protection concerning Bhuvan Bam's broader personality and publicity rights at this initial stage. Justice Jyoti Singh made a key observation during the hearing.
Justice Singh noted that making a prima facie finding on the infringement of personality rights was not possible on the very first day of the proceedings. The court has scheduled the matter for further detailed consideration in February next year.
Bhuvan Bam Alleges Widespread Misuse
Bhuvan Bam initiated this legal action by filing a civil suit. He alleged that several entities and individuals have been unlawfully exploiting multiple aspects of his identity. This includes his name, image, voice, likeness, and other distinctive features of his public persona.
He claims this exploitation occurred without any authorisation, licence, or formal permission. Bam further argued that such unauthorised use constitutes a clear infringement of registered trademarks and copyrights. These intellectual property rights are jointly owned by him and his production company, BB Ki Vines.
Risk of Public Confusion and Goodwill Dilution
The petition presented a strong contention regarding commercial misuse. It stated that the unauthorised commercial use of Bhuvan Bam's identity is highly likely to mislead the general public. This could cause significant confusion among his fans and followers.
Moreover, Bam and BB Ki Vines submitted that this misuse threatens to dilute the substantial goodwill and distinct recognition associated with his persona. They emphasized that Bhuvan Bam enjoys immense popularity across India. He has built considerable goodwill over many years through consistent creative work.
Bhuvan Bam: A Leading Digital Creator
Bhuvan Bam stands as one of India's most prominent digital content creators today. His YouTube channel boasts an impressive subscriber count of over 26.6 million. He also commands a massive following on other major platforms like Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, Bhuvan Bam launched his iconic channel BB Ki Vines back in 2015. The channel initially featured short, character-driven comedy sketches that quickly captured public attention.
By portraying multiple recurring characters himself, Bam struck a deep chord with young audiences across the country. His relatable everyday humour resonated widely, leading to viral popularity across the internet.
Part of a Growing Legal Trend Among Celebrities
This case emerges amid a noticeable surge in similar legal actions. Numerous celebrities are now approaching the Delhi High Court to safeguard their personality and publicity rights. In recent weeks alone, the court has granted interim relief to several high-profile public figures.
The list includes Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and the Bachchan family members Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan. Other notable names receiving protection include Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, Kumar Sanu, Nagarjuna, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sudhir Chaudhary, Raj Shamani, and Jr NTR.
This trend underscores a growing awareness and legal assertion of personality rights within India's entertainment and digital spheres.
