Delhi High Court To Order Takedown Of Content Misusing Cricketer Abhishek Sharma's Personality Rights

Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing the matter today in which the cricketer had earlier filed an application seeking the removal of unauthorised posts and listings across social media and e-commerce platforms that use the cricketer's name, image, and persona for commercial purposes.

At the hearing, counsel for the plaintiff placed before the Court a status chart indicating which of the impugned URLs had already been taken down and which remained live.

It was submitted that several posts on Facebook and Instagram, initially flagged in the suit, had been removed after an additional application was filed, while a number of others, including certain listings, remained available online.

Counsel appearing for Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram) clarified that only a limited number of URLs pertained to their platforms, distinguishing between posts and pages.

Counsel for defendants identified as X (formerly Twitter) and for e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart also made submissions regarding the specific posts and listings attributed to their respective platforms.

Taking note of the submissions, the court observed that it would direct the takedown of the remaining infringing content using the cricketer's persona without authorisation in respect of the defendants arrayed in the suit.

It also directed that summons be issued to the defendants who had not yet been served, largely through their social media handles, given the nature of their online presence.

For defendants with a registered address on record, the court directed that service also be effected through that address, in addition to service through social media handles.

The court directed compliance within two weeks.

The matter is listed before the Joint Registrar on August 11, and before the Court thereafter on November 17.