In the news: Apple wins iPhone 6 patent case, the PBOC tightens mortgage lending rules and 13 nations join the AIIB
March 28, 2017 | BY
Katherine Jo &clp articlesThe Beijing IP court overturned an infringement ruling against Apple, the central bank asked banks in the capital city to scrutinize home loans and the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank got a status boost
The Beijing IP Court has overturned a ruling against Apple Inc. over iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus patents, deciding that the two models do not infringe on exterior smartphone design patents held by a defunct local manufacturer, Shenzhen Baili Marketing Services Co. The court found Baili had no grounds to claim the designs were exclusive, and that it was easy for consumers to detect the differences. In May last year, the Beijing IP Office granted Baili a sales injunction in the capital city against the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The injunction was immediately suspended pending an appeal from Apple, and the phones remained in stores. This is quite the victory for Apple in what has proved to be one of its more difficult markets. Lower-priced competitors and high import duties have hurt the U.S. giant, with the odd legal challenge thrown in. While the ruling is unlikely to spur any material change in Apple's bottom line, it does provide a benchmark of sorts that the company may use to combat similar challenges in the future.
More from CLP:
This premium content is reserved for
China Law & Practice Subscribers.
A Premium Subscription Provides:
- A database of over 3,000 essential documents including key PRC legislation translated into English
- A choice of newsletters to alert you to changes affecting your business including sector specific updates
- Premium access to the mobile optimized site for timely analysis that guides you through China's ever-changing business environment
Already a subscriber? Log In Now