Today, On 17th January, The Delhi High Court restrained DB Dixon Battery from using cricketer Shikhar Dhawan’s images for their promotional activities without authorization. The court ruled that the company’s actions violated Dhawan’s personality and publicity rights. This order emphasizes the importance of consent in using celebrity endorsements. Dhawan sought legal action to protect his image and reputation.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court issued an interim order prohibiting DB Dixon Battery from utilizing images of cricketer Shikhar Dhawan for product promotions.
Justice Subramonium Prasad directed the company to immediately stay any further use of Dhawan’s likeness for endorsements until the next hearing.
The case stems from a petition filed by Dhawan, who contended that his agreement with DB Dixon Battery had lapsed in November 2024, leaving a portion of the agreed payment unsettled. Despite the contract’s termination, Dhawan claimed the company continued to use his images without authorization.
During the proceedings, Dhawan’s legal team emphasized that the continued unauthorized use of his image constituted a violation of contractual terms, requesting an injunction to prevent further exploitation of his likeness.
In response, the court issued a notice to DB Dixon Battery, instructing them to halt all promotional activities involving Dhawan’s images until the dispute is resolved.
The next hearing is set for February 18, 2025, for further examination of the case.
Additionally, Dhawan’s petition sought the appointment of an arbitrator to address the unresolved payment dispute and other contractual issues between him and the company. The court has also issued a notice regarding this request, indicating its intention to handle the matter thoroughly.
According to Dhawan’s lawsuit, an endorsement agreement was initially established in 2020 between him and DB Dixon Battery to promote their products. This agreement expired in January 2022, yet DB Dixon continued to use Dhawan’s images without his consent. In July 2023, both parties entered into a new endorsement deal, and Dhawan received the first installment of payment.
However, subsequent payments were not made, leading Dhawan to issue a legal notice demanding the settlement of the outstanding amount. On November 28, 2024, Dhawan terminated the agreement, instructing the company to stop using his images across all platforms.
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Following this, he sent a notice invoking arbitration under the agreement’s terms to resolve the dispute. After DB Dixon failed to respond to the arbitration notice, Dhawan escalated the matter to court through a petition.
DB Dixon Battery appears to be a company involved in the manufacturing or marketing of batteries, possibly catering to consumer or industrial needs. However, specific details about its history, operations, or market presence are not readily available.
The recent legal controversy surrounding the company involves the unauthorized use of cricketer Shikhar Dhawan’s images for promotional purposes, leading to a Delhi High Court order barring such actions. This highlights the need for businesses to comply with legal and ethical standards, particularly in advertising and branding.