PANAJI
The use of paintings and copies of figurines besides other work of famed Goan artist-cartoonist Mario de Miranda at the venues of G-20 summit in Goa has been flagged as "unauthorised" by both his sons, hinting at possible legal action.
In a press release issued on Saturday containing their joint statement, de Miranda's two sons Rishaad and Rahul said, they were surprised to see their late father's art work being used without permission.
"It is shocking that when India and Goa is trying to impress the G20 countries that we are a developed country, we infringe on the copyright of our late father's work," the two Miranda siblings said.
One specific infringement listed by the two is the use of a Mario de Miranda painting on a tile which is used inside a miniature window -- a gift given to the VIP's.
Another is the use of 16 life size fiberglass statues displayed in Old Goa and Dona Paula.
"These statues are copied from figurines of art work developed by our late father Mario de Miranda," Rishaad and Rahul said.
They said, the family set up the Mario Gallery before the famed artist passed away in 2011, which looks after his legacy by publishing books, organising exhibitions, selling original paintings, authenticating pictures, giving permissions for usage and taking legal action against violators and making merchandise.
"We urge the organizers of the G20 meet to approach the Mario Gallery and get the requisite permissions for usage," they said, adding that they have given the Mario Gallery the right to take all violators to a court of law.