The Fengtai District People's Court has begun hearing a lawsuit filed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) against automaker BMW China over an image of its Long March rocket used in the automaker's advertising.

In the suit, CALT claims BMW used an unauthorized image in a magazine advertisement last year, and asks for 100,000 yuan in compensation.

CALT contends BMW used the famed rocket to promote its products, which is unfair competition.

BMW China has countered that the image should be in the public domain.

(Source: China Daily)