Intellectual property regulators in Beijing have ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models in the city as it bears a striking resemblance to a Chinese smartphone.

According to authorities, Apple's two phone models violated an exterior design patent held by Chinese firm Shenzhen Baili for its smartphone known as the 100C.

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However, Apple maintains that it filed an appeal against the order and a stay has been ordered on the ruling for the time-being, which means that the phones can be sold in Beijing until the duration of the appeal.

"IPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus as well as iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE models are all available for sale today in China," Apple said in a statement on Friday. "We appealed an administrative order from a regional patent tribunal in Beijing last month and as a result the order has been stayed pending review by the Beijing IP Court."

Some stores in Beijing stopped selling the Apple devices months ago and have switched to the next-generation of iphones. Apple is reportedly also going to end iPhone 6 production soon, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The ban comes after Chinese regulators Apple's iBooks Store and iTunes Movie services in April, which had an unfavorable impact on the company's earnings. Apple's earnings report from April revealed a 26% decline in revenue from China, which became a cause for concern for many investors as China is the tech giant's second biggest market worldwide.

TagsBeijing, Beijing iPhone 6, iPhone 6, apple iphone 6, apple, china, 100C, Shenzhen Baili