‘Need permission to use Big B name’

A lawyer, who was part of the team that represented Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a case filed to restrain unauthorised use of the veteran actor’s voice, image and personality rights, has stated that their intent “is not to take away anything from anyone”. Bachchan filed the lawsuit seeking protection in the Delhi High Court following which the court passed an interim ex-parte injunction in his favour. The actor was represented by lawyer Harish Salve along with Ameet Naik and Pravin Anand. The matter was heard before Justice Navin Chawla. “This is a suit that Mr Bachchan filed on personality which means all his attributes, his voice, his image, his photograph and his dialogue delivery,” Naik said.

“The basis of action was that in October Mr Bachchan realised through us lawyers that there is misuse in a lottery where his image is being used...”

Stating that this suit was against eight known defendants and then the world at large, he said, “Justice Chawla has passed a very interesting order. It basically restrains anybody from using Mr Bachchan’s name, Amitabh Bachchan, Bachchan, AB or Big B, his image, his photograph, and his voice.

“This is an absolute order, there are no carve-outs to this without his permission.”