the-limited

A Chinese tribunal has ordered Apple China to stop selling its iPhone 6 in Beijing, claiming the design is too similar to a Chinese-made smartphone.

Apple has appealed, and is continuing to sell its iPhone 6 while awaiting the decision.

The Beijing regulator found that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus look too much like the 100C smartphone made by Shenzhen Beili, a small Chinese brand.

If its appeal fails, Apple will lose ground to such Chinese competitors as Huawei and Xiaomi. China accounted for more than a quarter of Apple’s revenue last year, making it the second-biggest source of income for the company.

This dispute follows a series of problems for Apple in China. A Chinese court last month decided a company can use the iPhone trademark on its bags, wallets and other leather products, and in April, Apple had to suspend iBooks and iTunes Movies after the Chinese government said the services were breaking the rules for foreign publishers.

Apple has also been pushing against fake Apple stores in China.

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