Apple's problems in China continue as it's sued over a 1990s war film

 

The AP reports that a Beijing court has accepted a case against the tech giant brought by a subsidiary of China's broadcasting regulator.

The plaintiff alleges that Apple has infringed its exclusive online rights to broadcast Xuebo Dixiao, which was first shown in 1994. It centres on China's fight against Japanese soldiers in northern China in the early 1930s.

Movie Satellite Channel Program Production Center is also suing the developer and operator of the Youku HD app available on Apple's App Store that

it says enabled users to watch the film, causing "huge economic losses".

The plaintiff wants the two companies to immediately stop broadcasting the film and is seeking compensation of 50,000 yuan ($7,500), the court said.

It is the latest chapter of a tricky few months for Apple in China, starting with its iTunes Movies and iBooks store being banned back in April.

Last month, Chinese authorities ruled against the company over a patent dispute brought forward by a small startup company, which alleged that the iPhone 6 and 6S models were similar to Shenzhen Baili's 100C phone.

As a result, Apple is being threatened with the halt in sale of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. However, sales are continuing while the tech giant appeals.