The Delhi High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on a plea filed by Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma seeking protection of his personality rights, observing that there is a 'very thin line' between defamation and personality rights.
Court's Observation and Adjournment
During the hearing, the court noted that issues of defamation may also involve elements of personality rights. The High Court directed Sharma's counsel to file an additional affidavit containing screenshots of the disputed content mentioned in the list submitted with the petition. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 9.
Details of the Plea
In his suit, Sharma has sought the removal of certain infringing content, including AI-generated material circulating on social media platforms. The cricketer argues that such content violates his personality rights, which protect an individual's name, image, and likeness from unauthorized commercial use.
Legal Context
Personality rights are a relatively evolving area of law in India, often overlapping with defamation, privacy, and trademark laws. The Delhi High Court's acknowledgment of the 'very thin line' underscores the complexity of balancing free speech with an individual's right to control their public persona. The case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for how courts handle AI-generated content that mimics real individuals.
