The Beijing Intellectual Property Office has ruled that Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus infringe on the patent rights of another smartphone sold within China. Baili, a Chinese device manufacturer, has recently sued Apple for allegedly copying its smartphone design specifically with the 100C phone that went on sale earlier in April 2014.
“If the position by the Beijing IP office is upheld and Apple doesn’t appeal further, then in theory they wouldn’t be able to sell the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.” – Ted Chwu, IP specialist
The claim is likely an attempt to achieve a financial settlement with Apple. Although there would appear to be no valid basis for the claim, Apple does sometimes settle disputes rather than go through protracted legal proceedings. As of this writing, Apple has already filed an appeal against the ruling stated below.
Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have minor differences from Baili’s 100C. The differences are so tiny that the average customer could not notice. So, this case falls into the patent rights protection category.
Do you find these devices looking exactly the same to each other? Let us know your opinion in the comment section below.
China is the land of copy cats and accused of Apple, a copy that spends millions on R&D, for copying their shitty design? Who would fucking believe that?