Oscar-Winning Sound Designer Resul Pookutty Issues Legal Warning Over Unauthorized Use of Name and Trademarks

Chennai, June 9 – Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty has taken formal legal steps to protect his intellectual property rights by issuing a public notice targeting unauthorized use of his name, trademarks, photographs, videos, voice, and other associated content. The notice warns individuals and entities misusing his identity and unlawfully monetizing such content to cease these activities immediately or face legal consequences.

Resul Pookutty shared the public notice on his X (formerly Twitter) timeline, emphasizing the importance of compliance. The notice was issued by his legal counsel on his behalf.

According to the notice, Resul Pookutty is the proprietor and applicant of several trademarks, including "RESUL POOKUTTY"TM, "CANARIES POST SOUND"TM, and "RESUL POOKUTTY FOUNDATION"TM. These trademarks are registered under Trade Mark Application Nos. 6869840 to 6869847, covering Classes 9, 35, 36, 41, and 45.

The legal notice highlights that various individuals, associations, firms, companies, organizations, websites, YouTube channels, social media accounts, and other digital platforms have been using Resul Pookutty’s name, trademarks, photographs, videos, voice, likeness, and other intellectual property without authorization. These unauthorized uses falsely claim association with him and unlawfully monetize the content for commercial gain, misleading the public and damaging his reputation and goodwill.

The notice explicitly states that only accounts, websites, channels, and platforms officially owned, managed, or expressly authorized in writing by Resul Pookutty have the right to use the names "Resul Pookutty," "Canaries Post Sound," and "Resul Pookutty Foundation."

It calls upon all persons and entities—including digital platform operators, publishers, broadcasters, intermediaries, content creators, and administrators of websites or social media platforms—to immediately cease and desist from any unauthorized use of Resul Pookutty’s intellectual property. The notice demands the immediate removal of all infringing content and the discontinuation of any form of monetization or commercial exploitation thereof.

Further, the notice warns against the creation, publication, reproduction, communication, transmission, distribution, or circulation of any false, misleading, deceptive, defamatory, manipulated, morphed, or unauthorized content. This includes any Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content, generative AI content, deepfake videos, synthetic media, digitally altered or manipulated photographs or videos, voice-cloned or AI-synthesized audio, computer-generated images (CGI), virtual avatars, or any other content created or modified using AI or similar technologies that use or imitate Resul Pookutty’s name, trademarks, identity, voice, likeness, image, or personality.

The notice emphasizes that such content is likely to create a false impression of association, endorsement, or authenticity, or is calculated to tarnish, dilute, or adversely affect the reputation, goodwill, personality rights, or commercial value associated with the name "RESUL POOKUTTY" and the registered trademarks.

The legal counsel concludes by warning that failure to comply with the notice will compel Resul Pookutty to initiate appropriate civil, criminal, and statutory proceedings before competent courts and authorities.

This public notice underscores the increasing challenges faced by public figures in protecting their intellectual property rights amid the proliferation of digital platforms and AI-generated content.

Gopi Adusumilli, a programmer and editor of SocialNews.XYZ, authored the original report. He is also President of AGK Fire Inc. and focuses on current world politics and Indian cinema in his writings.