Stefanie's manager, Ms Marcia Tan, told The New Paper that both Stefanie and herself were shocked when they heard the news yesterday.

RIDICULOUS

Ms Tan said: 'Both of us just felt that it was very ridiculous and wondered how this came about.

'Personally, I was appalled. No artiste in her right mind would advocate something like this, let alone someone like Stefanie, who has a healthy image.'

She said that they will leave the matter in the hands of their management company in China.

Ms Tan added that Stefanie has been jetting to various places recently and has just returned to Singapore.

She could not contact Stefanie for an interview by press time.

The Taiwanese media reported that Ms Lin Ming-rong, Stefanie's manager from Warner Music Taiwan, had called the clinic to protest.

The clinic administrator reportedly admitted to Ms Lin that she didn't think it was right to use Stefanie's picture in the ad.

The New Paper called the Shenzhen clinic yesterday, but the receptionist claimed the clinic supervisor, 'MrZhang', was out and that he could not be reached.

Ms Lin said the clinic has seriously damaged Stefanie's image as it misleads people into thinking that Stefanie endorses abortion.

She added that the music label will file a lawsuit against the clinic.

This is not the first time Stefanie's photo has been misused.

Earlier, a Chinese sports shoe brand had continued to use the 30-year-old's photograph to promote its brand even though her endorsement with it has ended.

The singer's fans are outraged by the clinic's move and have lashed out at it on online forums.

One of them posted this demand: 'Stefanie (has) always had a healthy, lively public image. Infringement of copyright aside, you are also infringing on Stefanie's public image.

'You should remove the ad and publicly apologise to Stefanie.'

A mainland China lawyer, Ms Yang Yu, told The New Paper that it is not illegal for pharmaceutical and medical organisations in China to advertise abortion services.

But what the Shenzhen clinic has done smacks of 'a lack of commercial ethics', the lawyer said.

She added that the Singapore singer could either settle it out of court with the clinic or sue for compensation.

NO FIXED GUIDELINE

However, there is no fixed guideline on how much she could possibly receive.

'It depends on how much damage this has caused her and how seriously it has affected her image.

'It also depends on how influential a public figure she is and how successful she is in showbusiness,' she said.

Another mainland Chinese lawyer, now based in Singapore, added that from past cases he has seen in China, the compensation is usually minimal.

Mr Vincent Lin said: 'In China, such infringement is seen merely as a mental intrusion because you don't actually lose money from your picture being used.'

Other stars' misused photos

Jolin Tsai

The Taiwanese pop princess' photo was uploaded onto Japanese adult friend-finder website's home page to recruit members in 2004.

Show Luo

Last year, karaoke operator in Guangzhou hung the Taiwan dancing king's picture at front of shop.

Ruby Lin & Tammy Chen Yirong

In 2003, Japanese sex chatline company printed the two actresses' photos in gossip magazine.

Cecilia Cheung

In 2004, Japanese seller of sex toys used the Hong Kong actress' pictures of her touching herself during a concert rehearsal, in bid to peddle more goods.