A subsidiary to Shanghai's Changning District is abandoning its plan to erect a Yao Ming street-side sculpture in the area after the star's manager expressed concern over image rights infringement.

The Zhoujiaqiao sub-district office confirmed it was abandoning its plan to install an over-sized steel glass sculpture modeled after Yao at the intersection of Wuyi Rd and Zhongshan Rd West.

The creation was originally intended to add to the "sporting atmosphere" of the Zhoujiaqiao block, home of the Shanghai International Gymnastic Center.

"Instead, we have come up with a replacement project representing five glass-steel figures of basketball players shooting, blocking or catching," said a clerk at the sub-district office surnamed Liu. "But we will not model any of them after specific basketball players."

The sculptures had long been on the agenda of the Zhoujiaqiao office only to be scrapped weeks before the proposed unveiling date at the end of this month.

Lu Hao, a member of Yao's management team, said he had never heard of the sculpture plan until informed by a colleague.

"One of my colleagues has already spoken to the office about their concern," said Lu. "Although it doesn't sound much like a case of infringement, they should have consulted us before deciding to use Yao's image."

The only Yao sculpture in town belongs to Madame Tussauds. The real-size wax figure stands at the reception area of the museum on Nanjing Rd West.

(Shanghai Daily July 5, 2006)