Local media such as Il Mesazero reported that an Italian street artist filed a lawsuit for damages of 100 million won, claiming that the Holy See had stolen his paintings and made profits.
According to reports, street artist Alessia Bavro from Rome last month filed a lawsuit against the Holy See for damages of 130,000 euros and our money of 176 million won.
In early 2019, Bavro claimed that the image of Jesus he drew on the bridge of Vittorio Emanuele II near the Vatican was taken without permission from the Holy See and sold as an Easter 2020 stamp.
Bavro claims that the Holy See produced 80,000 stamps with the image and sold them for about 1,561 won and 1.15 euros in our money.
Local copyright lawyers have expressed their opinion that copyrights are highly likely to be recognized in accordance with relevant laws, even for works created without permission in public or private buildings.
In a press interview, Babro claimed that he had sent three letters to the Holy See asking for his copyright to be acknowledged, but that he received no response.
He also stressed that the lawsuit was not intended to attack the Catholic Church, but to protect its worthy rights.
Home to the Vatican Museum, a treasure trove of medieval and Renaissance art and one of the world's largest museums, the Holy See is renowned for strict management of copyrights related to its works.
The Holy See has not officially made any stance on the case.
(Photo = Yonhap News)