Fatshimetrie recently uncovered a scandal rocking the artistic and advertising worlds, revealing an alleged case of counterfeiting involving multinational Pepsi Company and Russian artist Georgy Kurasov. Egyptian attorney Ahmed Hassan al-Attar took legal action against Pepsi, claiming the company used Kurasov’s artworks in advertisements without authorization.
As investigations led by the Nasr City Prosecutor’s Office in Egypt progress, lawyer Attar disclosed that Kurasov discovered his paintings and drawings featured in Pepsi’s ad campaigns across various media platforms and TV channels. Seeking 200 million Egyptian pounds in compensation, Kurasov filed a lawsuit against Pepsi and designer Ghada Wali, demanding an official apology for exploiting his work. Attorney Attar emphasized the distinctiveness of Kurasov’s art, citing clear evidence that the ads indeed used the artist’s creations.
The case has serious implications for the accused, with designer Ghada Wali being sentenced by the Economic Court to six months in prison, a 10,000 Egyptian pound fine, and interim compensation of 100,000 pounds for unlawfully using Kurasov’s art.
Beyond the financial and legal ramifications, this incident raises crucial concerns about respecting artistic work and copyright in the advertising industry. It underscores the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights and acknowledging artists’ talents, emphasizing that each artistic creation reflects unique effort and inspiration deserving of respect.
This scandal has sparked outrage and prompted scrutiny of corporate practices concerning artistic rights. Ultimately, it underscores the significance of safeguarding artists’ creativity and originality while urging businesses to uphold copyright laws and promote ethical and responsible artistic practices.
For more information, you can read the full articles on the following links:
– Egypt Independent – Russian painter sues Pepsi over advertising campaign