Apple wins iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus patent case in China

New York, March 27 : Apple has won a trial against a Chinese phone maker in Beijing as a court overturned a ruling against Apple Inc. over iPhone patents, a media report said on Monday.

The Beijing IP Court ruled that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus do not infringe on patents for exterior smartphone design held by a defunct local manufacturer, Shenzhen Baili Marketing Services Co, technology website marketwatch.com reported.

The disputes were over the exterior design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, which Shenzhen Baili claimed were a copy of their 100C smartphones.

Initially, Apple was handed an injunction to stop selling its iPhone 6 line in Beijing for alleged infringement.

Apple and Beijing-based phone retailer Zoomflight quickly filed an administrative appeal with the Beijing Intellectual Property Bureau and Apple was permitted to sell the phones until further review by the court.

The Cupertino-based company on Saturday opened a new Apple Store in Nanjing city of China which has a 90-by-30-foot glass entryway.

For the first time, customers can explore The Forum -- a place where the local community can gather and learn -- and The Boardroom -- a space for local entrepreneurs, developers and business customers to get hands-on advice and training.

Earlier this month, Apple announced it would invest $508 million in China to build two additional Research and Development (R&D) centres in Shanghai and Suzhou to boost local talent.

Apple's attempt to boost its presence in China began last September with the opening of its first R&D centre in Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park, often referred to as "China's Silicon Valley".

With this investment, Apple will have a total of four centres in China.