The Bombay High Court has granted actor Preity Zinta permission to institute a civil suit against Google LLC, Meta and other entities over alleged AI-generated deepfake videos, manipulated images, chatbot personas and other online content that she claims infringe her personality, copyright and moral rights.
The bench headed by Justice Abhay Ahuja allowed Zinta's petition seeking leave to file the suit before the Bombay High Court and disposed of the matter.
As per submissions made before the court, the proposed suit concerns alleged violations of the actor's personality rights, copyright and moral rights arising from the circulation of AI-generated content online.
Appearing for Zinta, Advocate Rohan Kadam submitted that the suit seeks injunctive relief against the respondents over alleged infringement of personality rights, copyright violations, damage to goodwill and reputation, and breaches of moral rights protected under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The court was informed that the respondents had allegedly created, uploaded, disseminated and made available to the public AI-generated deepfake videos, memes, manipulated images, AI chatbot personas and other digital content that unlawfully exploited Zinta's identity and persona.
Kadam further submitted that Zinta is an Indian national who primarily lives and works in Mumbai and that her goodwill, reputation and persona are situated within the territorial jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court.The court also recorded submissions that the allegedly infringing content was not only accessible in Mumbai but was being disseminated globally through online platforms.It was further argued that although part of the cause of action arose within the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court, several respondents maintained offices outside its jurisdiction and the impugned activities were being carried out through digital platforms.
After considering the submissions and examining the leave petition along with the proposed plaint, the Court held that permission ought to be granted.
Accordingly, the Court directed that leave under Clause XII of the Letters Patent be granted to enable Zinta to institute the suit before the Bombay High Court.
The petition was consequently allowed and disposed of.
