Apple's loss in Chinese patent fight seen emboldening rivals

[HONG KONG] Apple Inc's loss in a Chinese patent dispute may spell more legal trouble ahead as fast-rising local rivals get bolder in taking on the world's largest technology company.

The Beijing Intellectual Property Office ruled last week that some Apple devices violate the design patents of little- known Chinese smartphone vendor Shenzhen Baili. While the iPhone maker appealed to keep its best-selling gadgets on the market, it could face a rising tide of lawsuits and a threat to its sales if the ruling creates a precedent, according to Counterpoint Research.

The ruling is the latest headache for Apple in China, where it already faces aggressive rivals and a slowing economy in its biggest market outside the US. The nation's patent and intellectual property laws are murky and courts have already ruled against the company over the name of iconic products such as the iPhone.

Baili is just one of scores of smartphone brands trying to cash in on the country's mobile boom. Legitimate lawsuits are on the rise as Chinese companies build up their intellectual property through research and development, said James Yan, Beijing-based research director at Counterpoint. Apple should sell about two to three million units of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in each of the second and third quarters in China, about 30 per cent of overall sales, Counterpoint estimates.

"Chinese makers have been building their own IP pools over the past years and are able to somehow fight against industry giants," he said. "Apple isn't willing to publicly lose an IP case in China and the best option for them is to offer settlement fees." Xiaomi Corp and Huawei Technologies Co are among those that have bulked up their patent portfolios, through deals with foreign companies, acquisitions or intense research. Beijing- based Xiaomi alone applied for more than 3,700 patents in 2015 and this month struck a deal for nearly 1,500 patents with Microsoft Corp. In May, Huawei filed a patent lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co in the US and China.

Apple representatives in China didn't respond to multiple e-mails seeking comment and phone calls were directed to voice- mail. Kristin Huguet, an Apple spokeswoman, last week said the company had appealed the ruling and its products are available for sale in China.

The defeat is striking also because Apple aggressively defends its technology patents, most notably in a series of lawsuits across four continents against arch-foe Samsung. The iPhone in particular is credited with pioneering the modern smartphone revolution.

It's another sign that Chinese officials are scrutinizing the company more closely and comes as Apple - already trying to reverse a slowdown in iPhone sales - prepares to roll out the next version of its iconic device. China shut Apple's book and movie service in April for violating foreign publishing regulations, and last month a Beijing court ruled that a little-known accessories maker could use the IPHONE label for a range of wallets and purses. In 2012, Apple paid US$60 million to Proview International Holdings Ltd to settle a dispute over the right to the iPad name. And billionaire Carl Icahn said in April he unloaded his position in the company because of concerns about its relationship with China.

In the face of such obstacles, Apple has made efforts to remain on good terms with the Chinese government, including a visit by Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook in May that coincided with a US$1 billion investment in the country's biggest car- sharing service, Didi Chuxing Technology Co. In 2013, Cook apologized after state media accused Apple of shoddy customer service and inadequate warranties.

BLOOMBERG