[JURIST] The Beijing IP Court ruled on Monday that Apple’s [corporate website] iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus do not infringe on patents held by the Shenzhen Baili Marketing Services Co., a Chinese manufacturer which is now “defunct.” Baili alleged [WSJ report] that Apple had copied their exterior designs. The court held that the designs were not “exclusive” and that the two designs were easily differentiated. Baili plans on appealing the decision. If Apple loses on appeal, the loss will only cover older iPhone models, but it may inspire more litigation against the company.

One of the largest companies in the world worth $586 billion, Apple has drawn substantial litigation in recent years. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court reversed [JURIST report] a $533 million patent verdict against Apple for allegedly infringing on a media management patent held by another company. In January the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit allowed an antitrust [JURIST report] to proceed against Apple over the structure of its App Store. In December Apple served as the plaintiff when it sought [JURIST report] to have a $14 billion tax in the EU overturned. Also in December the US Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] against Apple in a prolonged patent infringement suit against primary smartphone rival Samsung.