Madras High Court: In a suit filed seeking relief in respect of alleged infringement of the personality rights of classical dancer Dr Anita R Ratnam, she has presented multiple interim applications seeking injunctive relief in addition to the application for combination of causes of action, the Single Judge Bench of Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, J. concluded that the celebrity status and personality rights of Dr. Ratnam had been misused for commercial purposes. Consequently, the Court issued an interim injunction directing Meta and Telegram to take down the links.
Dr. Anita Ratnam submitted that she is a renowned artist, who is fairly active on social media. She pointed out that her image has been misused on the social media platforms of Meta and Telegram. Likewise, she submitted that her voice has been mimicked, possibly using AI technology. Dr. Ratnam referred to a paper book as prima facie evidence that her fake images have been used to lure the public into making financial investments. She also referred to the paper book, which shows a comparison between the content from the actual social media handle of her and the infringing material.
On prima facie assessment, the Court concluded that the celebrity status and personality rights of Dr. Ratnam had been misused for commercial purposes. It also appeared that the use by the unnamed defendants through Meta and Telegram did not fall within the fair use exception. Consequently, the Court issued an interim injunction directing Meta and Telegram to take down the links.
The Court further ordered that if similar links were identified by Dr. Ratnam and communicated to Meta and Telegram, such links were to be taken down in accordance with the order.
The Court issued notice to the respondents, returnable on 11-06-2025. Dr. Ratnam was directed to comply with Order XXXIX Rule 3 CPC.
The matter will next be taken up on 11-06-2025.
[Dr Anita R Ratnam v. Meta Platforms, O.A.Nos.468 to 472 of 2025, decided on 30-04-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For Applicant: Mr.M.S.Bharath
