Metro

FIT to investigate whether grad’s backpack design was stolen

Fashion Institute of Technology honchos say they’ll investigate whether a former student was screwed out of profiting off the wildly popular backpack she designed as a class project four years ago.

Responding to a Manhattan federal lawsuit by Diana Rubio, 33, of Carlstadt, NJ, the Chelsea college issued a statement Tuesday saying, “We have begun our fact-finding to learn the circumstances and, if appropriate, do right by Ms. Rubio.”

The FIT 2011 graduate claims the college never explained the terms of a fall 2010 student contest that she won for drawings of her “The Everything Backpack” — and that she “never signed” a consent form allowing Barnes & Noble to pocket profits off it.

The contest was held in conjunction with Barnes & Noble, which also is a co-defendant in the suit.

Barnes & Noble passed the buck to FIT on Tuesday, saying in a statement that it has a relationship with the college “whereby we pay royalty fees to FIT for student designs.”

It sells the bag for $39.95.

“We strongly support intellectual property rights. This matter is between FIT and Ms. Rubio and we trust they will work out a fair solution,” the statement says.

FIT President Joyce Brown has formed a committee to examine the college’s industry-sponsored competitions and projects program for students. A report is due by Dec. 1.

Rubio’s lawyer Dimitrios Moscholeas, declined comment.