Space agency looks into sales of pirated lunar rover merchandise

As space engineers try to repair the Chinese lunar rover Yutu, which has suffered a mechanical glitch, marketing managers and lawyers of the lunar exploration program are also busy, as they fight an invasion of pirated space products.

A Chang'e Aerospace Technology lawyer who requested anonymity told China Daily that 16 companies, all registered in Beijing, have been found selling products falsely identified as licensed or falsely claiming to be licensed partners.

Products made or sold by the companies include watches and models of the Yutu lunar rover, the lawyer said, adding that all the companies claim they had the authorization of the nation's space agency.