'Prima Facie Commercial Exploitation': Bombay HC Issues Notices On Plea Against Alleged Unauthorised Use Of Woman's Photos In Ads

The Bombay High Court has sought response from the US-based company Shutterstock, various State government, political parties and private agencies in relation to a plea by a woman alleging unauthorised use of her photographs by political parties and state governments in advertising their different schemes. Taking note of the serious concerns raised by the woman concerning her right to privacy, a division bench of Justice G. S. Kulkarni and Justice Advait M. Sethna opined that the case prima facie appears to be a commercial exploitation of the woman's photos. She stated that various political parties, private agencies and State Governments including Government of Maharashtra, Government of Telangana, Congress Party of Telangana, Ministry of Rural Development, State of Odisha, State of Karnataka in advertising their different schemes are using her photos. She stated that her photographs are being used in The petitioner thus sought to permanently restrain the respondents from using, displaying, distributing, sharing or selling her photograph on their website boards, social media platforms, Noting the seriousness of the allegations, the Court issued notice to Shutterstock and sought its response.