PV Sindhu To Take Legal Action Against Brands Cashing On Her Popularity Without Permission

PV Sindhu Brand Marketing: Ever since PV Sindhu won the Bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020, her name and image have been reportedly used by various brands.

As per reports, PV Sindhu is going to take legal action against such brands which allegedly marketed themselves in the name of Sindhu's bronze medal without her permission.

Baseline Ventures which manages commercial deals told Economic Times that they will be sending a legal notice to the brands on Sindhu's behalf seeking damages worth five crore rupees.

The Managing Director of the sports marketing firm, Tuhin Mishra, told the publication, “We are surprised that such leading Indian and global firms are resorting to such forms of communication to associate with our athletes, which is in complete breach of their IPR and privacy."

Recently Dominos made a statement in which they promised to provide pizza to Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu. This particular case is different from Sindhu's as Chanu got engaged in pact with the pizza chain.

Sindhu however has reportedly been suffering losses because of non-consensual brand marketing in her name. It can also impact the several brand-related deals that Sindhu is part of. Baseline Ventures MD said that such practices are unfair to the brands who have supported Sindhu around the year.

He said, "Would these very firms try the same gimmicks with some of our leading cricketers? I doubt it." He added that it is time to stand up against such "unethical practice". The firm head said that they are going to do everything to protect their athletes and their rights.

Some of the brands accused of unethical practices are P&G, Pan Bahar, Perfetti Van Melle and others. Kaushik Moitra, a lawyer by profession was quoted by ET where he said that the right to publicity comes from the right to piracy which is a fundamental right in India.

Celebrities and athletes also hold the copyright to their performances and work so using their voice, name, image or personal details without permission is an unethical practice.

Also read:Skill And Style Can Go Hand-In-Hand: PV Sindhu In Her Ripped Jeans Proves It