SHANGHAI – Shanghai’s 2010 World Expo, in which Namibia will also participate, has hit the pause button on a promotional song for the event after accusations the tune may have plagiarised an older Japanese composition. Expo organisers have suspended plans to use the song ‘Right Here Waiting For You 2010’ after they ‘noted disputes over copyright’.
The song is not the official tune of the event but had been selected this year to be used in a promotional push during the 30-day countdown to the Expo, which kicks off May 1. Internet users have alleged the song – credited to Chinese composer Miao Sen – sounded suspiciously similar to a single released by Japanese pop singer-songwriter Okamoto Mayo in 1997, Chinese media reports had said earlier. A number of celebrities have performed the song in various promotional events, including action star-singer Jackie Chan, and Canto-pop crooner Andy Lau. The six-month World Expo is expected to attract up to 100 million visitors, according to organisers. – Nampa-AFP
