Justice Bhambhani asked, "If a family name is akin to having a reputation attached to a trademark, how far down the generations does such reputation of family name inure? A certain last name has a reputation because of the achievements, the eminence in a certa Justice Bhambhani asked, "If a family name is akin to having a reputation attached to a trademark, how far down the generations does such reputation of family name inure? A certain last name has a...
Justice Bhambhani asked, "If a family name is akin to having a reputation attached to a trademark, how far down the generations does such reputation of family name inure? A certain last name has a reputation because of the achievements, the eminence in a certain field of work, etc. So, does that reputation, that you are couching as virtually as a trademark … Does that flow down generationally? If so, up to what point?"
The court also questioned whether publishing fake or misleading news, even if it is of an “egregiously despicable nature”, could constitute a violation of intellectual property rights and, if so, which type of IP right may have been infringed. Advocate Pravin Anand, representing the plaintiffs, argued that any attempt to damage or exploit the family's goodwill must be stopped, noting that such goodwill could diminish over time. The lawyer also pointed out that pictures of the entire family were being used and that the Bachchan name was being associated with the alleged fake news.
The court had further stressed that every child has the right to be treated with honour and respect, adding that spreading misleading information about a child's health was “completely intolerable in law”. The matter is now scheduled to be heard next in September.
Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More
