PERSONALITY RIGHTS: Yes, They Exist!

What are Personality Rights?

Clueless about Personality Rights? Well, here's something you may easily relate to- have you ever walked past your local barber shop and glanced at pictures of celebrities pasted outside? Chances are you probably have. Did you know the use of these pictures could potentially infringe legal rights of those celebrities? But do they in reality? Let's find out.

Rights of celebrities that emerge from their personality, name, signatures, voice, popularity or likeness are known as 'Publicity Rights'. These rights, also called "Celebrity Rights" or "Personality Rights". Personality rights bestow upon the "Celebrities", a right to control the commercial exploitation of their images, persona, name and other features. Consequently, any unauthorised and unethical breach of these rights would undoubtedly infringe upon the Publicity Rights of the celebrities. It is worth mentioning that Publicity rights as such are not codified in India. But,