Chinese court bans sale of several iPhone models after granting Qualcomm an injunction against Apple

The court ordered them to immediately cease infringing upon two Qualcomm patents through the unlicensed importation, sale and offers for sale in China of the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X.

The two patents were previously found to be valid by SIPO, the Chinese patent office.

“We deeply value our relationships with customers, rarely resorting to the courts for assistance, but we also have an abiding belief in the need to protect intellectual property rights,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel, Qualcomm Incorporated. “Apple continues to benefit from our intellectual property while refusing to compensate us. These Court orders are further confirmation of the strength of Qualcomm’s vast patent portfolio.”

The patents enable consumers to adjust and reformat the size and appearance of photographs, and to manage applications using a touch screen when viewing, navigating and dismissing applications on their phones.

Additional actions seeking similar relief for Apple’s infringement of other Qualcomm patents are pending in China and other jurisdictions around the world.

The move was made by the Chinese court at a time when China and the US have been engaged in a trade war in recent times.

US President Donald Trump recently said China will 'reduce and remove' 40 percent tariff it had placed on American cars imported into China.

Trump made the announcement on Twitter but did not give any further details on the issue.

China has not commented on the US President's tweet so far.

Trump posted: "China has agreed to reduce and remove tariffs on cars coming into China from the U.S. Currently the tariff is 40%."

The two countries were engaged in hitting each other with escalating tariffs in recent times over an attempt to make their domestically made goods more competitive.