Mumbai: The Bombay High Court upheld the stay on the release of a film on Wednesday, titled ‘Shaadi’s director Karan and Johar’ or ‘Shaadi’s director Karan Johar’ said that the name violates the personality and promotional rights of filmmaker Karan Johar.
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradh and Justice Ms. Carnic said that Johar has received “immense goodwill and prestige” in India and globally.
The court dismissed the appeal filed by the producer of the film, a Sanjay Singh, which challenged the March 1 order passed by the same bench of HC, which stays on the release of the film.
The single bench passed an order on a petition filed by Johar against the film and its title.
Johar’s name has obtained a brand price, the court said on Wednesday. ‘Karan’ and ‘Johar’, when pointing to celebrity and filmmaker Karan Johar, said.
HC said that since Karan Johar’s name has become his brand name, the director has the economic right to exploit commercially according to his discretion.
The court said in its order, “the name Karan Johar” is completely associated with defendant number 1 (Karan Johar) and forms a German part of his personality and brand name. “
The High Court said that the courts in India have recognized the rights of personality and publicity rights of public data from time to time, including famous celebrities.
The court said, “The defendant (Johar) as a celebrity deserves the protection of his personality and publicity rights and can claim protection against unauthorized business exploitation by the third party.”
The High Court also refused to present the plaintiff Sanjay Singh that he was ready to add the words ‘Karan’ and ‘Johar’ in the title of the film and add the words and (and). In his opinion, the court said, the use of two names in any combination was enough to create confusion in the public’s mind.
HC said, “The appellant (Singh) cannot be allowed to take advantage of the reputation and goodwill of the defendant (Johar) in this way.”
(This report has been published as part of the auto-early syndicate wire feed. In addition to the headline, there is no editing in the copy by ABP Live.)
