The Delhi High Court has mandated the immediate halt of unauthorized usage of singer Jubin Nautiyal’s personality and voice across various online platforms, artificial intelligence tools, and e-commerce sites. This ruling was made on February 24, with Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issuing an ex parte interim injunction.
The order restrains the defendants from exploiting Nautiyal’s name, voice, image, likeness, signature, and other identifiable traits for any commercial or personal gain. Furthermore, it specifically prohibits the development of AI-generated voices, deepfake content, digital avatars, and face-morphed videos that emulate or depict the singer.
Legal Measures Target Infringing Content and Intermediaries
In its decision, the Court has directed online intermediaries to remove or block access to the investigated infringing content and any new links subsequently provided by the plaintiff. The defendants have also been ordered to disclose information pertaining to individuals or entities responsible for the content that imitates Nautiyal. The lawsuit aims to safeguard the singer’s rights concerning his personality and publicity, which encompass his voice, vocal style, likeness, and image.
Allegations of Voice Cloning and Unauthorized Merchandise
As part of the case, the Court acknowledged claims that specific AI tools and platforms were cloning Nautiyal’s voice and generating audio that mimicked his unique singing style. Moreover, it was brought to attention that various online vendors were selling merchandise such as posters and stickers displaying the singer’s name and likeness without any authorization. The measures taken by the Court aim to prevent any further exploitation of Nautiyal’s identity and image.
Potential Harm to Reputation and Commercial Value
While granting relief to the artist, the Court observed that Jubin Nautiyal has cultivated substantial goodwill and a positive reputation stemming from his successful career in music, public performances, numerous awards, and a robust social media presence. The unauthorized replication of his identity could result in irreparable damage to his reputation and commercial worth, which cannot be adequately addressed through monetary compensation alone.
Future Proceedings Scheduled
The High Court has issued a summons to the defendants, instructing them to provide written statements within 30 days of receiving the notice. Future proceedings in this case have been scheduled, with the matter set to be reviewed by the Joint Registrar on April 28, 2026, to complete the necessary pleadings. A further court session has been arranged for August 25, 2026, to continue the legal process.