Belgian theatre drops Tokyo 2020 plagiarism lawsuit

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who was officially appointed head of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic organizing committee, answers a reporter's question. (Junji Kurokawa/AP)

BRUSSELS — A theatre in Belgium has dropped a plagiarism legal case over the design of a logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee said in a statement Tuesday that the Theatre de Liege "has decided to waive the pending procedure."

But the Belgian graphic artist who designed the emblem for the theatre is vowing to fight on.

The first Tokyo logo came under scrutiny because of its similarity to the theatre’s emblem. The Japanese emblem’s designer, Kenjiro Sano, stood by his work but it was eventually withdrawn.

Belgian designer Olivier Debie told The Associated Press on Tuesday: "I am continuing." He added "there is a lot of pressure from the IOC" to drop his case.

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