Controversy
On August 27, 2005, Anime News Network reported that Singaporean musician Shaun Yu may have plagiarized "Tori no Uta". Yu's current album, The Best of Shaun Yu, features a track called "Melody" which sounds like the Air theme. Though Key made no official statement at the time, an investigation was initiated.
On September 21, 2005, it was reported that a second song on The Best of Shaun Yu may have been plagiarized from a song composed by Hiroyuki Tōshima, "Tenshi no Kyujitsu". Yu had stated that his producers, YesMusic, had arranged both tracks, and that he was unaware of the situation. YesMusic, in turn, had stated that it licensed the rights to the song from Key/Visual Art's for mainland China distribution, but that the album came out in Taiwan before licensing could be arranged for that territory. However, Key/Visual Art's denied this, as per a statement on Key's website:
- Official Announcement Regarding Plagiarism of "Tori no Uta":
- Thank you very much for supporting products of our humble company. According to information provided by fans, we've learned that Shaun Yu's The Best of Shaun Yu (真愛珍愛2005風行精選集?) distributed by Sony BMG Entertainment (Taiwan) is suspected plagiarizing our music—"Tori no Uta". We apologize for worrying supporting fans. We have filed a formal complaint to Sony BMG Entertainment and made following demands:
-
- Apologize publicly on the web.
- Credit the composer of "Tori no Uta" to Shinji Orito clearly.
- If the above two requirements are fulfilled, we will not ask for financial compensations.
- We have been negotiating with Sony BMG Entertainment (Taiwan) with those terms. Regrettably, Hei Kiyoshi (季忠屏, Kiyoshi Hei?), director of YesMusic, the production company of this CD, has made a false announcement today that he had purchased distribution rights from us. It is a pity and is regrettable. In order to show our objection to his plagiarizing actions and his dishonest attitude, we shall not license any of our creation to them, including Tori no Uta. These days, we have received supports from both Japanese and Taiwanese fans. You have our immense gratitude. Please keep supporting our humble company, Key, in the future.
- Translation from Anime News Network, not the official website.
On September 29, 2005, Sony BMG Taiwan posted a statement of apology in both Chinese and Japanese on their official website. CD shipments were canceled and recalled.
Read more about this topic: Tori No Uta
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