Big News: Manu Bhaker Managers to Take Legal Action Against Non-Sponsor Brands!

Brands that use photos, images, and videos of Indian Olympic medal winners in celebratory advertising or messages without sponsoring the athletes would face legal action for violating their personality rights, executives representing the athletes warned The Economic Times.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooter who won two bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, has received an increase in congratulatory messages from brands that have no affiliation with her.

Also Read : Manu Bhaker Makes History: First Indian to Win 2 Medals in a Single Olympic Games!

Manu Bhaker Managers to Take Legal Action Against Non-Sponsor Brands

According to Neerav Tomar, Managing Director of IOS Sports & Entertainment, which handles Bhaker, “Almost two dozen brands unaffiliated with Manu have released congratulatory advertisements on social media featuring her images.” This is unauthorized ‘moment marketing,’ and legal notices will be filed on these brands.”

Companies that have used Bhaker’s image include Bajaj Foods, LIC, FIITJEE, Oakwood International School, Praneet Group, Radha TMT, Apricot Bioscience, Kineto, Xtrabrick Realtors, and Parul Ayurved Hospital. Attempts to contact these companies for comment were unsuccessful, according to ET.

Bhaker represents sportswear and fitness fashion firm Performax Activewear, and he is in talks with many additional brands about endorsements or sponsorships. Unauthorized usage of athletes’ photos is getting more widespread, executives claimed.

“Brands that do not sponsor our athletes are not legally permitted to utilize their photos in commercials. If they do, we will take strong legal action,” warned a spokeswoman for Baseline Ventures, which represents boxer Nikhat Zareen and badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

“There should be immediate legal remedies for such cases. The government needs to address this issue, especially given that these are national champions with significant personal brand value,” another sports management executive was quoted as saying by ET.