Sculptor's Wife Sues Central Bank for Copyright Infringement

The widow of sculptor Ferdinand Arakelyan, Hasmik Yeghiazaryan, is legally trying to defend her husband's copyright. This was reported by Hetq.am.

Yeghiazaryan claims that the images depicted on both the obverse and reverse of the gold commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank (CB) for "Galust Gulbenkian-150" are works of her husband, for which the CB did not obtain permission. By doing so, the copyright of the sculptor has been violated.

Within the framework of the ‘Foundation of Armenian Benefactors’ alley’ program, sculptor Ferdinand Arakelyan carried out works related to the creation of the alley. Statues honoring Armenian benefactors Poghos Nubar, Alexander Mantashyan, Alek Manoukian, Galust Gulbenkian, Mikael Aramyants, and Hovhannes Lazaryan, created by Arakelyan, have been erected along the alley. In the middle of the alley, a monument symbolizing the collective image of philanthropy has been installed.

On March 22, 2019, the Central Bank put into circulation the "Galust Gulbenkian-150" gold commemorative coin. The designers of the sketches are mentioned as Harutyun Samuelyan (obverse) and Vardan Vardanian (reverse).

Ferdinand Arakelyan passed away on April 21, 2018. His widow, Hasmik Yeghiazaryan, has been recognized as his heir. Her representative argues that the author's economic rights are active during the author's lifetime and continue for 70 years after their death.

Hasmik Yeghiazaryan’s representative stated in court that the obverse of the coin features the monument of Galust Gulbenkian in the alley, while the reverse depicts the monument that symbolizes the collective image of philanthropy.

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