Chinese vocal duo Phoenix Legend has come under fire by music fans, accusing their hit song On the Moon of plagiarizing the 2001 smash hit All Rise by British boy band Blue.

Phoenix Legend gained nationwide popularity last year by performing the song on China Central Television's (CCTV) "Star Boulevard," a show similar to "American Idol."

The song was included on Phoenix Legend's album released in 2005.

Shanghai-based Xinmin Evening News reported fans have voiced great concerns after comparing On the Moon with Blue's All Rise, saying the two sound "almost the same" in terms of tune and rhythm.

Music fans have petitioned CCTV to take On the Moon off the roster for its upcoming Spring Festival gala, a show with an estimated hundreds of million in audience viewers worldwide.

However, the report cited responses from CCTV saying no particular department is in charge of dealing with such controversy.

The gala had its second run-through on February 7, with On the Moon still on its set list.

Last year, Chinese pop-punk band Flowers was criticized for possibly plagiarizing their hit song Xi Shuashua from a Japanese band.

(CRI.cn February 13, 2007)