The eldest son of well-known Chinese artist Xu Beihong is demanding a local kindergarten named after the painter change its moniker.
The Shanghai Xu Beihong Art Kindergarten, located in Baoshan District, has been using the master's name since 1997.
But Xu's son, Hong Kong resident Xu Boyang only learned of the school during a recent business to the city. He immediately asked the kindergarten to change its name saying the school was violating his deceased father's rights.
"A person's name right can't be inherited by his offspring, but the family can seek compensation if the person using the name profits from the violation," said Yang Yongtao, Xu's attorney. "Using Xu's name can increase its profits by attracting more students."
The kindergarten argues, however, that Xu Boyang doesn't have the right to control the name as his father remarried after divorcing his first wife in 1942. The school says Xu's second wife and her children control the name and have allowed the school to use it.
"We are entitled by the Shanghai Xu Beihong Research Association to use the name. It's legal," said Chen Xinfeng, director of the kindergarten.
(Eastday.com June 17, 2003)
