Apple Ordered To Stop Selling Two iPhone Models In China
A Beijing court has ordered Apple to discontinue selling the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in the city, having governed that the phone’s design is too similar to a Chinese brand. The infringement claims were brought against Apple by Shenzhen Baili for its 100C smartphone, declares the Beijing Intellectual Property Bureau. Apple can still appeal the decision.
The order from Beijing's intellectual property regulator was informed in a June 17 story by The Wall Street Journal. No other iPhone models were mentioned in the order.
"It wasn't immediately clear what impact the order would have," the article reported, because some shops there previously stopped selling the two models months ago after the company released its newer iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models. The two older models will drop from production in the future, a source toldThe Journal.
"iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, as well as iPhone 6s, iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone SE models, are all available for sale today in China," the company said in a statement. "We appealed an administrative order from a regional patent tribunal in Beijing last month and as a result, the order has been stayed pending review by the Beijing [Intellectual Property] Court."
The two iPhone models invade on a Chinese patent for external design held by Shenzhen Baili for its 100C smartphone, the Beijing Intellectual Property Bureau wrote in a statement on its website dated May 19.
Apple said a Beijing court keep on the administrative order on appeal and the iPhone 6 and 6 plus still were on sale.
Apple on holds its iBooks and iTunes Movies services in April, which news reports believed was due to an order by Chinese regulators. The company said it hoped to restart service soon.
In May, Apple suffered another delay when a court ruled that a Chinese company is allowed to use the iPhone trademark on bags, wallets, and other leather goods. Apple said it would appeal.
The company also faces increasing competition from local brands including Xiaomi and Huawei, which have gained market share.
Although the struggles, China remains a key market for Apple, which encouraged a visit from Apple CEO Tim Cook in May. At hand, he met with China’s main internet and broadcastings regulator during a trip to Beijing. Following the visit, the Ministry of Information Technology admired Apple’s extensive collaboration with China and said it hoped the company would continue to expand its business, research and development and supply chain there.