Did Hong Kong souvenir shop tread on IP rights with viral ‘MTR station’ wall?

A souvenir shop in Hong Kong has taken down lettering from its viral wall featuring designs nearly identical to MTR station signage amid concerns over possible trademark and copyright infringement.

The MTR Corporation on Sunday declined to say whether the move by the Causeway Bay store was done at its request.

The company “attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property, which is safeguarded under the law of Hong Kong, and we shall act accordingly in the event of suspected infringement,” a spokesman for the rail operator told the South China Morning Post.

Earlier this month, the wall next to the storefront belonging to Hong Kong Souvenir on Kai Chiu Road in Causeway Bay was transformed into a “check-in” spot that soon attracted photo-snapping crowds.

The wall after the lettering was taken down last week. Photo: Nora Tam
The wall after the lettering was taken down last week. Photo: Nora Tam
The wall was adorned with nine MTR station names set against their respective signature colours. For months, mainland Chinese visitors have been heading to certain MTR stations to pose for photos in front of the names of the stops as part of a viral social media trend.

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