Apple Won Patent Case Against Chinese Manufacturer; Decreasing iPhone Sales in China

Apple just won a case against Chinese manufacturer which has banned the sale of iPhone 6 last year. A Beijing court has overturned a ruling that Apple's iPhone 6 has violated a patent owned by local manufacturers Shenzhen Baili. The Beijing IP Office ruled last may that Apple violated the design patents of the local device with its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

The result of this case Apple has experienced a notable decreased in sales. The sale of Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S Plus was decreased by 33% in China after the ban. However, it is reported that the court in Beijing ruled in favor of the iPhone maker on Friday. The court stated in favor of Apple that the company has not infringed the design patent.

The Cupertino-based company was accused of copying the exterior design of Shenzhen Baili's 100C smartphone. The 100C smartphone has curved edges and rounded corners just similar to iPhone 6 range. On Friday, the Beijing court has clarified that the design of both the products is different and both the devices are recognized differently by the consumers.

Although the Beijing court has ruled the decision in favor of Apple, but it has denied Apple's application to have stripped of the patent at the center of the case.  Shenzhen Baili was also backed by Chinese Internet search engine Baidu. Sales of Apple's devices in China have come under extreme pressure recently.

Apple has currently faced a tough competition in the Chinese smartphone market due to local devices. Chinese companies like Xiaomi, Vivo,  Oppo and Huawei are offering high-end devices at very affordable rates. The Apple sales in Greater china which covers China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were decreased by nearly 33%. Sales of the Apple phones were allowed to continue while the court case and appeal were being heard, as reported by BBC.