Executives representing elite athletes in India reportedly told ET that companies who use images and footage of Indian Olympic gold winners in their advertisements without paying for them risk legal action for allegedly infringing on their right to privacy.
Several companies that have never sponsored or been connected to Manu Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooter who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, July 28, 2024, have sent her congratulations.
Since yesterday, around two dozen unaffiliated firms have posted congrats on social media featuring Manu’s photographs together with their own brands. We are giving these brands legal notice since this is illegal. The MD of IOS Sports & Entertainment, which oversees Bhaker, Neerav Tomar, stated, “This is instant marketing at no expense.
Bajaj Foods, LIC, FIITJEE, Oakwood International School, Praneet Group, Radha TMT, Apricot Bioscience, Kineto, Xtrabrick Realtors, and Parul Ayurved Hospital are among the companies applauding Bhaker.
At the moment, Bhaker exclusively recommends Performax Activewear for athletic apparel and fitness trends. Six other brands are in negotiations to sign her for sponsorships, though. Executives stated that there is a rising concern about this widespread issue.A representative for Baseline Ventures, which represents badminton doubles players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy as well as boxer and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, stated, “Brands who don’t sponsor our athletes cannot legally use their images in their ads on social media or anywhere; if they do, we will take stringent action.”
PV Sindhu’s sports marketing company, Baseline Ventures, served 20 brands with legal notices in 2021. Several companies congratulated her on earning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2021 using her name and images in advertisements.
Happydent (Perfetti), Eureka Forbes, Pan Bahar, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Vodafone Idea, MG Motor, UCO Bank, PNB, SBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Fino Payments Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Bank, and Wipro Lighting were among the companies to which letters were sent.
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