Bombay High Court Allows Preity Zinta To Pursue Suit Against Google, Meta Over AI Deepfakes

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted actress Preity Zinta leave to institute a suit against Google LLC, Meta and other entities over AI-generated deepfake videos, manipulated images, chatbot personas, and other digital content that she claims infringes her rights.

The proposed suit alleges infringement of her personality rights, copyright, and moral rights.

Justice Abhay Ahuja allowed Zinta's petition seeking leave to file the suit before the Bombay High Court and disposed of the matter.

Advocate Rohan Kadam, appearing for Zinta, submitted that the proposed suit seeks an injunction against the respondents. The claims relate to alleged breach of personality rights, copyright infringement, loss of goodwill and reputation, and violation of moral rights under the Copyright Act, 1957.

According to the submissions, the respondents, through AI-generated deepfake videos, memes, manipulated images, AI-generated chatbot personas and other digital content, had "created, uploaded, disseminated and made available to the general public from the various platforms" content that was infringing her rights.

Kadam submitted that Zinta is an Indian national who primarily resides and works in Mumbai. He contended that her goodwill, reputation, and persona are situated within the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court.

The court recorded the submission that the allegedly offending material was being disseminated not only in Mumbai but across the world. Kadam further submitted that while part of the cause of action had arisen within the court's jurisdiction, the respondents had offices outside its jurisdiction and the alleged activities were taking place on online platforms.

After considering the submissions and examining the leave petition and the proposed plaint, the court held that leave ought to be granted.

Granting the relief sought, the court ordered, "that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to grant leave under Clause XII of the Letters Patent to enable the Petitioner to file the present Suit in this Hon'ble Court."

The petition was accordingly allowed and disposed of.