Apple Ordered To Halt iPhone 6 Sales In China

Apple (LSE: 0R2V.L - news) has been told to suspend sales of two versions of the iPhone 6 in Beijing because they are too similar to a competitor.

The order by an intellectual property tribunal said the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus infringed a design patent for the 100C model made by Shenzhen Beili, a small Chinese brand.

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) was issued in May but reported this week by Chinese media.

Apple said it had been allowed to continue selling the devices for now after a Beijing court stayed the administrative order on appeal.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in Apple fell 2.3% after the news emerged, contributing to a fall on the S&P 500 of 0.3% and a 0.9% drop for the Nasdaq (NasdaqGS: NDAQ - news) .

It is the latest setback for Apple in its second biggest market after regulators forced it to suspend the iBooks and iTunes Movies services in April.

Then in May, a court ruled a Chinese company would be allowed to use the iPhone trademark on bags, wallets and other leather goods.