The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the removal of photographs of YouTuber and actor Bhuvan Bam that were being circulated across various digital platforms without his consent. The court, however, did not deliver a final ruling on the broader issue of personality rights, stating that the matter would require detailed examination.
Justice Jyoti Singh, while passing the interim order, observed that the question of personality rights rights linked to an individual’s identity, name, image, and voice—raises important legal concerns. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February, when the issue will be taken up for further arguments.
Case Highlights Concerns in the Creator Economy
Bhuvan Bam’s petition has brought renewed attention to a growing challenge within the creator economy, where individuals and organizations allegedly use a creator’s name, photographs, voice, or identity for commercial purposes without authorization.
According to the plea, such unauthorized use amounts to a violation of trademark, copyright, and other proprietary rights held by Bhuvan Bam and his company, BB Ki Vines. The petition also argues that this practice can mislead the public and damage the credibility of the creator’s brand.
Creators’ Identity as a Commercial Asset
The petitioner emphasized that digital creators invest years of effort, creativity, and trust to build their personal brands. Allowing third parties to commercially exploit a creator’s identity without permission, the plea stated, significantly undermines the value of that identity and weakens brand integrity.
Background on Bhuvan Bam
Bhuvan Bam launched BB Ki Vines in 2015 and has since become one of India’s most prominent digital creators. His YouTube channel has over 26.6 million subscribers, and he is widely known for his short-form videos featuring multiple characters, all portrayed by him.
While the High Court’s order provides interim relief to Bam, the larger legal questions surrounding personality rights remain unresolved and will be addressed in the upcoming hearing.