The Chinese pop band "Flower" scored a hit with their popular song Xi Shuashua at the end of last year. Last week reports have surfaced that the group is suspected of plagiarizing the song from the Japanese band Puffy's song K2G Rushing to You.

Famous music critic Wang Xiaofeng posted thirteen songs suspected of being plagiarized from domestic and overseas songs. He has listed the original song and Flower's version, which seem partially similar. More and more netizens have begun to scrutinize the songs and have added their comments.

Meanwhile, in a statement last Friday, the band's label, EMI Music has declared the band vows there is no plagiarism in their songs.

EMI Music also says good composers and bands must be familiar with various songs and it is common that some compositions remain in their minds as they write, which can influence them but can not be called plagiarism. To some this argument doesn't make sense.

Some legal specialists say there is no specific regulation to define plagiarism in musical works. In Chinese music circles, however, it's commonly thought if a song is similar in eight or more segments it is regarded as a copy.

Whether one thinks it is plagiarism or not, we have to wait for professional institutions to decide. The company that owns the copyright of the original song K2G Rushing to You has not yet made a statement.

(CRI February 27, 2006)