Rain Fans Sign Petition to Show Support

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Fans from all over the world are signing a petition in support of K-pop singer Rain, who is facing a legal battle over the use of his name in the United States.

On the Web site http://www.ipetitions.com, a fan created an online petition titled "Rain/Bi deserves to keep his stage name". As of 6:30 p.m. on June 19, there have been over 3,400 people who have signed the petition.

The petition is aimed at showing fans' support for Rain, who is being sued by Nevada-based music company Music Corp. who claims to have the copyright for the use of the name "Rain" in the U.S. The company, who has a band named "Rain The Beatles Experience", wants the Korean singer to stop using the name there.

"If you feel that this lawsuit is for publicity and money, sign it. If you think this is wrong, sign it. If you are a fan of Rain and want him to continue with his success in America, sign this petition! Most importantly, this petition is to show that Rain/ Bi deserves to keep his stage name", the petition stated.

Due to the lawsuit, Rain's concerts in the U.S. originally scheduled for this month have been postponed. Fans have posted comments on the Web site, saying they love and support the Korean singer. Most fans were angry over the lawsuit, which caused the postponement of his U.S. concert tour "Rain's Coming".

One fan said Rain should be allowed to keep his name, which is the English translation of his Korean stage name "Bi".

Another fan with the username Duong noted Rain is already a well known singer around Asia, while Rain the Beatles Experience is hardly known by anyone.

Rain is already known in the U.S., after being named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People, and topping the online poll of Time Magazine's Most Influential People of 2007. He is scheduled to start filming the Hollywood film "Speed Racer" next month in Germany.

While most of his U.S. concert dates have been postponed, Rain is expected to hold a concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles June 30.

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