Imagine hearing your favorite singer’s voice, but it’s not really them. Or seeing their face in a silly meme, created by a computer. This isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s happening, and music legend Kumar Sanu is taking a stand. He just knocked on the Delhi High Court’s door.
The iconic voice behind so many hit songs is fighting to protect his very identity. Sanu says his unique singing style, his voice, his famous signature, even his photos and face, are being copied. And it’s all thanks to artificial intelligence, or AI. He believes these AI copies are hurting his good name.
The AI Deepfake Dilemma
People are using his likeness to make jokes and memes on social media. There are fake videos and audio clips out there. They mimic his voice, his style, and his expressions. This is turning his art into something it’s not, and it’s a big problem for his reputation. He feels his art is being used wrongly for money, and this damages his credibility.
What’s worse, these fake creations aren’t just for fun. They’re making money for others. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are hosting these videos. Sanu claims the creators profit from his stolen image. He says it’s disrespectful to his hard work and good name. These videos often make him part of “indecent humor.”
Asking the Court to Step In
Sanu wants the court to step in. He’s asking for a legal order to stop anyone from using his likeness without permission. This includes his name, voice, style, and image. He wants these platforms to take down any content that violates his ‘moral rights’ as an artist. Justice Maneet Pritam Singh Arora will hear the case on October 13.
His petition also explains that using his identity like this can be seen as “false endorsement.” It’s like wrongly promoting a brand or idea using his image. He wants the court to immediately remove any content that breaches his ethical ownership of his creative work.
A Stand for Moral Rights
Sanu’s legal team argues that the Copyright Act protects artists. It gives them ‘moral rights’ over their performances. Misusing his art through AI goes against these rights, he says. It’s like putting a false stamp of approval on something he never supported or agreed to. The act clearly states that an artist’s work should not be shown in a wrong or unfair way.
Not the First, Not the Last
Sanu isn’t the first celebrity to face this digital dilemma. Earlier, actor Sunil Shetty went to the Bombay High Court for similar reasons. He sought to protect his personality rights. Before him, actress Aishwarya Rai and even the legendary Amitabh Bachchan also fought in court to protect their public image and identity from misuse. It seems this battle for personal rights in the age of AI is just beginning.