Copyright dispute pulls the plug on singing duo

BEIJING - Xuriyanggang, a singing duo described by some critics as China's hottest grassroots duo, has been stopped from performing their signature song by the tune's composer, triggering a heated public debate about the country's copyright laws.

Wang Xu, 44, and 29-year-old Liu Gang, two migrant workers who live in the capital, moved tens of millions of viewers during the Spring Festival Gala on China Central Television (CCTV) recently with their rendition of the song In The Spring.

The show is one of the most-watched television events in the world.