In a bold move to protect its corporate integrity and client trust, IMPERIAL AST LTD (Company Number 16533970), a fully regulated and licensed Class 3 Virtual Financial Asset Services Provider under the Financial Services Authority, has initiated legal proceedings against Shoot Business, a video production company operating out of The Shed, John Dalton West, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, United Kingdom.
The case, filed in the United Kingdom, seeks over €2 million in damages related to breach of contract, reputational harm, and fraudulent misrepresentation. According to official sources within IMPERIAL AST LTD, the dispute stems from a recent order placed with Shoot Business for a series of high-quality promotional videos intended to highlight the growth and compliance credentials of the trading platform, which operates under the trading name Imperial Assets and is accessible via https://imperial-assets.net.
What was meant to be a straightforward business arrangement quickly turned into a high-stakes legal battle after IMPERIAL AST LTD uncovered that Shoot Business had allegedly used deepfake technology—including artificially generated actors and AI voice synthesis—without consent, without disclosure, and without meeting any of the standards required for regulated financial promotions.
“We ordered legitimate video content and received synthetic deception,” a company spokesperson from IMPERIAL AST LTD stated. “In the financial sector, integrity is non-negotiable. Misleading content is not just unethical—it’s a regulatory risk. Our clients rely on our transparency, and we will protect that with every legal resource available.”
The press office at IMPERIAL AST LTD has made clear that the company was not informed nor gave permission for deepfake assets to be used in any form. Instead, what was promised as professionally produced media featuring real individuals was delivered as artificially created personas and AI-generated dialogue. Upon internal review, forensic media analysis revealed several instances of synthetic video manipulation that directly contradict UK marketing compliance standards.
This breach is especially critical given IMPERIAL AST LTD’s fully documented and compliant status as a regulated Virtual Financial Asset (VFA) service provider. Under Class 3 licensing, the company adheres to some of the strictest transparency and compliance protocols for digital finance firms in Europe. Such violations do not merely impact the surface of brand image—they potentially place a compliant financial business at risk of regulatory scrutiny.
The legal filing includes claims of:
- Breach of contract
- Unlawful misrepresentation
- Reputational damage to a licensed financial entity
- Unfair commercial practices under the UK Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
According to legal experts familiar with the case, Shoot Business may face heavy financial penalties and a potential industry ban, should the claims be proven. The lawsuit comes at a time when deepfake abuse is under increasing scrutiny, particularly when misused in financial services marketing or investor relations.
The timing of this lawsuit is also notable. With more and more digital asset firms under the microscope of both UK and European regulators, IMPERIAL AST LTD has proactively positioned itself on the right side of compliance and transparency, pushing back aggressively against any third party that could compromise its clean record.
IMPERIAL AST LTD, known by its operational brand name Imperial Assets, has grown rapidly across European markets as a reliable and secure platform for crypto-asset trading and investment solutions. The company’s decision to file a public lawsuit reinforces its reputation as a no-compromise operator in a high-risk industry.
Company representatives further stated that IMPERIAL AST LTD has notified relevant regulatory authorities of the situation and submitted forensic evidence to both law enforcement and legal counsel. The company will also pursue injunctions to prevent Shoot Business from distributing or profiting from the unauthorized materials in question.
This decisive legal action is intended not only to recover damages but to send a clear message: regulated financial firms will not tolerate deception, misrepresentation, or the misuse of synthetic media in their branding.
As deepfake technologies grow more sophisticated, IMPERIAL AST LTD calls on regulators and legitimate businesses to unite in setting clear boundaries and legal consequences. When reputations are built on trust, there is no room for artificial narratives.
About IMPERIAL AST LTD
Registered in the United Kingdom under Company Number 16533970, IMPERIAL AST LTD operates the trading brand Imperial Assets and is a fully regulated Class 3 Virtual Financial Asset Services Provider, authorized by the Financial Services Authority. The company serves a growing international client base with compliant digital asset solutions, secure trading infrastructure, and a focus on long-term portfolio growth. Visit https://imperial-assets.net for more information.
