Egyptian media Personality Faces Court Over Copyright Infringement
Cairo, Egypt – egyptian media personality Maha El-Soghayer has been referred to the Economic Court following an investigation into allegations of intellectual property violations. The case, which began last July, centers around El-Soghayer’s use of artwork by international artists without proper authorization.
The investigation was prompted after El-soghayer presented paintings on her television program, “With You, Mona El-shazly,” claiming them as her own creations.Social media users quickly identified similarities between her work and pieces by artists from Denmark (Lisa Lax Nielsen), Germany, and France, noting a lack of attribution to the original creators.
Nielsen herself confirmed her copyright was infringed, sparking widespread criticism and legal complaints accusing El-Soghayer of violating intellectual property rights. Several lawyers filed official complaints demanding legal action.
El-Soghayer later issued a public apology, attributing her actions to a arduous personal period following her separation. However, the apology received mixed reactions, with many arguing it did not adequately address the harm caused to the artists.
The Higher Council for Media Regulation responded by banning El-Soghayer from appearing on media platforms for six months and referring the case to the Public Prosecution.Following further investigation confirming the unauthorized use of copyrighted material, authorities referred the case to the Economic Court.
The controversy extended beyond her television work, with accusations of design plagiarism leveled against her handbag brand, leading to the closure of its social media account and a loss of commercial partnerships. The television channel also removed promotional material related to the episode in question and is reviewing similar segments.
This incident has ignited a broader discussion in Egypt and the Arab world regarding intellectual property rights, particularly in the context of social media and the ease of sharing artistic content. The case highlights the importance of respecting artists’ rights and ensuring proper sourcing and authorization when using their work.
