Dispute over dead singer's royalties

THE posthumous royalties of Wong Ka-kui, late lead singer of rock band Beyond, are under dispute following a public notice alleging incorrect copyright details on the group's latest album.

Kinn's Music yesterday claimed ownership of copyright to the words and music on Beyond's album Rock and Roll , but said it had not been credited on the album sleeve, despite its requests.

As a result, the company claims its ownership is under dispute by both Beyond and its present manager, Kabushiki Kaisha Amuse Incorporated.

Rock and Roll - Wong's last work in a 10-year career - is understood to have sold well, being released just over a month before his fatal brain haemorrhage following a fall from a stage during a television rehearsal in Japan. He was 31.

The notice from Kinn's Music says it will enforce its copyright against any ''infringers'' and seek payment of royalties for ''all legitimately released recordings of the songs in question''.

A spokesman for Amuse said both her company and the band denied the claims, describing them as ''without foundation''.