The National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and RATP Dev Cairo Mobility released a statement saying they will be taking legal action against Wali’s Studio regarding the plagiarism of the art at the Girl’s College Koleyet el Banat metro station.

The RATP is the company responsible for operating the third Green Line, while Wali’s Studio is the agency responsible for the designs of the station.

The National Authority for Tunnels and the RATP Dev Cairo Mobility assert that they were not aware that the paintings of a Russian artist illegally inspired these designs and that they are against any infringement of intellectual property rights in any form.

The statement said:

“We are closely following what is happening on social media and media platforms regarding the use of artworks by a Russian artist in the cultural project within the station.

Wali’s Studio was contracted to create designs for the cultural project at the third Green Line station. The legally binding clause stated that the agency is solely responsible for providing original artistic creations. However, in the case of inspiration or replicas, they must obtain official legal approval of the artists in charge of these works and authorizes their use.

Accordingly, when the allegations are proven, we are currently studying the appropriate legal procedures against the agency to preserve all the National Authority for Tunnels rights and the RATP Dev Mobility Cairo.”

The statement also mentioned that their contract with the agency was terminated last March for other reasons related to a breach of some contract terms and implementation.

The statement confirmed that the illegally copied designs would be changed.

The statement concluded:

“We apologize to the Russian plastic artist “Georgy Kurasov” and the public for that incident, stressing our full respect for the intellectual property rights of everyone inside and outside Egypt.”