Chinese firm accused of copying Apple's iPhone 6 design

The Beijing Intellectual Property Office has ordered Apple to stop selling its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in Beijing following accusations from 100+, a Chinese phone manufacturer, that Apple infringed upon the design patent of its '100C' smartphone. Apple has since initiated an administrative litigation to reverse the ban while iPhone models continue to be sold in China pending the outcome of the action.

It's tough for foreign companies to do business in China, so much that even Apple is having a hard time. After the iTunes Movies and iBooks Store ban back in April, the previous generation of iPhones have recently been accused of infringing the design patent of some random Chinese company's "100C" smartphone under the "100+" brand. Don't laugh, because the Beijing Intellectual Property Office has since ordered Apple to stop selling its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in Beijing, with the reason being the general consumers won't be able to tell the "minute differences" between Apple's design and the 100C. No, really.

Of course, Apple and its distribution partner aren't having any of this, so they have initiated an administrative litigation to reverse the ban. But given Apple's previous failed attempt in China, they're going to need a lot of luck to win this fight.

Update: To be clear, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus continue to be sold in China currently, pending the outcome of the administrative action filed by Apple.