Even China has to respect intellectual property rights, but only because of the World Trade Expo

It is indeed considered a rare event that China had to secretly negotiate with Japanese singer-songwriter Mayo Okamoto to get permission for using her song as the theme song for the Shanghai World Trade Expo which opens in May 1, 2010. It was not meant to be that way. The song was among many submitted by the public to be used as the theme song for the expo. Unknowingly, the organizing committee selected the song, without realizing that the person who submitted it had copied from Ms. Okamoto. Perhaps, even that was not intentionally done. But when the accusation of copying was posted on the internet, the expo committee realized that they had to do something, like seeking permission for the use of the song (even though it only faintly resembles Okamoto’s work), which in itself was rarely heard of in China. Fortunately, Ms Okamotor had agreed to allow the use of the theme, otherwise it would have been a big embarrassment for the organizer.


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This goes to show that even big bad giants, when faced with an embarrassing moment, would choose to eat humble pie when there are putting out their best act in front of a wide audience! Were it not because of the world trade expo, would China have acceded to such an act? Obviously not, if we were to look at those recent events like the tussle with Google and Yahoo! This would be a very good lesson for all of us. How to deal with the big bad wolf? Use trade sanctions or weapons of mass destruction? Certainly it will not work as shown by the intransigence of North Korea and Burma. The only way would be like the Shanghai case. Draw them out, let them face the world. Put them in a position where their face would be their destiny. When you are the showman, and the spot light is on you, no one will be allowed to make you leave the scene in disgrace. You just have to stay put and the show has to go on, whatever happens! Maybe all the shouting about China not respecting intellectual property rights is of no avail. Perhaps, relocating WIPO to Beijing might be a better option!