The Madras High Court has granted protection over Ilaiyaraaja’s personality rights, blocking digital platforms from using his name, image and AI-generated visuals without consent. The order targets deepfakes, animated edits and monetised misuse of his identity online.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court issued an order protecting the personality and publicity rights of legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, restraining digital platforms from using his identity without permission. The ruling prohibits the unauthorised use of his name, image, photographs, stylised or animated depictions, and AI-generated visuals in any form of online content.
Justice N Senthilkumar granted the interim injunction after the Court observed that the materials supplied demonstrated a prima facie case for protecting the composer’s personality rights pending trial.
Senior Advocate S Prabhakaran, appearing on behalf of Ilaiyaraaja, clarified that the composer did not object to the public listening to his songs. The issue, he stressed, was the commercial misuse of the composer’s identity on YouTube, social media channels and other online platforms.
According to submissions before the Court:
- Multiple channels had been pairing Ilaiyaraaja’s music with unauthorised photographs and AI-fabricated visuals
- Platforms had used deepfake-style edits, memes, reels and morphed images for monetisation and advertising
- Some content falsely suggested Ilaiyaraaja’s participation or endorsement of online communities and commentary channels
- Screenshots presented in court showed the composer’s likeness being edited into irrelevant or misleading settings
The counsel argued that using Ilaiyaraaja’s image to increase digital traction amounted to misappropriation of his identity and violated established publicity rights.
Court’s Observation
While giving the decision, the Court referred to multiple precedents:
- Delhi High Court rulings recognising a celebrity’s exclusive right to decide when and how their identity is commercially used
- A recent Delhi High Court order addressing AI-driven impersonation and deepfake-based exploitation
- The Madras High Court’s own landmark judgment in Shivaji Rao Gaekwad v Varsha Productions, which affirmed that personality rights extend to names, images, photographs and stylised/animated likenesses
Based on these principles, the Bench held that Ilaiyaraaja had established a strong prima facie claim to prevent digital exploitation of his persona.
Injunction Issued
The High Court has now:
- Restrained online platforms, channels and content creators from using Ilaiyaraaja’s identity without prior approval
- Directed issuance of notice to all respondents
- Ordered them to file their counter-affidavits by December 19
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The matter will proceed after responses are filed.
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