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Pop Ami

NPR

Published June 12, 1996 at 12:00 AM EDT

The Ami (AH-mee) are rice farmers in Taiwan. In 1987, a group of Ami singers performed in France and were recorded - without their knowledge - by the French government for a limited-release academic CD. A group of German pop musicians named Enigma heard the recording and obtained rights - from the French government - to use part of one song in a pop tune - but no one asked the Ami. "Return to Innocence" sold more than 5 million copies and stayed on the pop charts for 6 months, but the Ami never got a dime. Frank Koller (KAWL-urr) visited with the singer whose voice was appropriated and reports on the difficulties of ascertaining rights to folk music. (8:00) (IN S