Rario, a digital cricket collectible platform, and five Indian cricketers have taken legal action against online fantasy sports (OFS) platforms Striker and MPL for creating and distributing Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) using their images and names without permission. The cricketers, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, and Shivam Mavi, alongside Rario, filed appeals with the Delhi High Court after their initial plea for an interim injunction was rejected by a single-judge. Senior Advocate Harish Salve represented Rario and argued that creating tradable cards based on a player's persona crosses a line and violates their privacy rights. The OFS platforms can use player information for team-building, but creating NFTs requires consent from the player as it becomes their property. The case is set to be heard on May 23, where the court will consider the appellants' plea for interim injunction against the use of players' NFTs.
Indian cricketers Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, and digital cricket collectible platform Rario have approached the Delhi High Court to stop online fantasy sports platforms Striker and MPL from minting and distributing Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) with their images and names on them. They have filed appeals before the Division Bench against the single-judge’s order of April 26, which rejected their plea for interim injunction against Striker and MPL.
Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Rario and some of the players, respectively. Salve argued that an NFT containing images of players is the personality of a player and that players have the absolute right over their persona. Rohatgi cited an example of a bat signed by Sachin Tendulkar, stating that the bat has value because of Tendulkar’s autograph. The Court also briefly heard the defendants and the intervenors, and the bench directed both sides to file their written submissions within one week. The case has been listed for further consideration on May 23, where the bench will deal with the appellants’ plea for interim injunction against the use of players’ NFTs. The petitions were filed by Karanjawala & Co., Fidus Law Chambers, and TAS LAW on behalf of the cricketers and Rario.
TAGS: digital cricket collectible platform Rario Indian cricketers Delhi High Court online fantasy sports platforms Striker MPL Non-fungible Tokens NFTs images names appeal Division Bench single-judge's order interim injunction Senior Advocate Harish Salve fair use confidentiality personality right tradable cards player's performance privacy passing off autograph value persona All India Gaming Federation written submissions Karanjawala & Co Fidus Law Chambers TAS LAW.
