Certainly one of the more amusing intellectual property stories to come out of China in recent months:

A DODGY Chinese company has plastered David Beckham's name on condoms, claiming users will score with the ladies like he does on the soccer pitch. And the Beckham prophylactics, which are not endorsed by the LA Galaxy star, are now the biggest-selling brand in China.

But Britain's The Sun newspaper reports Chinese Galaxy fans want them banned.

"We do not want Beckham to think the Chinese people are disrespecting him. We love him here," one said.

Beckham's publicity people wisely issued this simple statement: "The Condoms are not an official brand." (From NEWS.com.au)

By Jennifer Brea, About.com Guide to World News