The Intellectual Property Court in Beijing has overturned a ruling that found Apple violated a patent belonging to a Chinese tech firm, Shenzhen Baili -- and in the process, removed the threat of a city-wide ban on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sales.
In summer 2016, the Beijing Intellectual Property Office found that Apple had of a Baili smartphone -- the 100C -- through design traits like curved edges and rounded corners, Agence France-Presse on Saturday. Sales were allowed to continue temporarily while Apple's appeal was underway.
The 100C patent dates back to March 2014, around the time leaked images of the iPhone 6 began to emerge. Baili has sometimes been accused of simply copying those leaks to beat the iPhone 6 design to market, something which it denies.
Baili filed suit against Apple in Dec. 2014, but by the time of the IPO decision, both it and its parent company had . The IPO nevertheless issued the suspended against Apple.
In its appeal, Apple argued that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus included with the 100C, and that the average shopper could "easily" distinguish between the phones.
Apple has sometimes had a rough experience with the Chinese patent and trademark system, for instance having to to settle an iPad trademark dispute.