The Chinese music scene erupted in a copyright controversy on the 29th. Li Ronghao initially accused Shan Yichun of performing his representative work “Li Bai” without authorization, directly stating that this act constituted “forced infringement.” The related news quickly triggered heated discussions after exposure. However, Wu Xiangfei, the lyricist and composer of Eason Chan’s song “The Road Is Always There,” soon stepped up to counter-accuse Li Ronghao of previously performing his work without obtaining authorization or paying fees, questioning whether Li himself was also involved in infringement. The two sides sparred from a distance, forming a “second battleground.”
According to ETtoday News, Wu Xiangfei—the lyricist and composer of “The Road Is Always There” as performed by Eason Chan—on the 29th accused Li Ronghao of having sung the song in the past without obtaining authorization or making payment, raising doubts about whether Li also engaged in infringement.
Confronted with this sudden query, Li Ronghao promptly responded directly, demanding that Wu Xiangfei clearly specify the details of the accusation, including performance date, venue, and whether there was a record of authorization. He emphasized that if it is ultimately confirmed that responsibility lies with him, he is willing to make a public apology and bear all legal consequences. He further stated that the incident has already gone viral, and added that he and his legal team are waiting for the other party to provide clear evidence, with his tone becoming increasingly firm, and the standoff between both sides intensifying.
Amidst this back-and-forth exchange, Wu Xiangfei soon after issued another statement, setting the tone for the case. He pointed out that, after consulting a lawyer about Li Ronghao’s response, this would be his last public statement on the matter.
Wu Xiangfei emphasized that caring about music itself, safeguarding the rights of lyricists and composers, and respecting copyright are goals shared by all musicians; among creators, there is no need to determine who is superior, nor for anyone to lower their head to another, but mutual respect remains the most basic premise. He also reviewed his efforts in rights protection over recent years, revealing that since 2021, he has been involved in more than ten lawsuits related to copyright and defamation rights. Together with his legal team, adhering to the strictest standards, he ultimately won all cases, thus demonstrating his prudent approach and legal stance regarding the determination of “infringement.”
Regarding the current dispute, Wu Xiangfei expressed willingness to resolve the issue through communication, stating, “Happy to discuss properly, our doors are always open,” and inviting discussion and appropriate handling of the use of past works. At the same time, he emphasized that if the other party chooses to go the legal route, he will also respect that, “My lawyer is always on standby.” Li Ronghao also responded promptly, declaring that Wu Xiangfei could not provide evidence and announcing that the matter would be handed over to legal counsel for handling. He stressed, “If I’m at fault, I’ll take responsibility; if you’re at fault, the outcome will be made public—bad people will not enjoy the spoils.”
Meanwhile, netizens pointed out that Li Ronghao once performed “The Road Is Always There” with Chen Kun in 2013, but it was at a free charity music event. Wu Xiangfei only regained lyric copyright in 2021; at the time, the song’s copyright belonged to Universal Music. Netizens argue that if Wu Xiangfei wishes to safeguard his rights, he should address Universal rather than Li Ronghao.