Apple appeals Chinese ruling over encyclopedia infringement

The tech giant lost a case brought to court by China Publishing House, which claimed that Apple infringed copyright protection by allowing the sale of an app containing large sections of "Encyclopedia of China" without the publishing house's consent. The iPhone and iPad-compatible app can be downloaded from Apple's App Store. In September, a Chinese court ordered Apple to pay compensation of 520,000 yuan, which is roughly $83,000. First reported by the Jinghua Times, Apple asserts that the original judgment was incorrect, and in addition, that the financial compensation awarded is too high.Related stories:Apple: iPhone jailbreaking violates our copyrightApple v. Samsung: A battle over billionsApple accused of ripping off famous Swiss clock designApple argued that as the store owner and not a third-party developer, it is not responsible for every individual application hosted in the App store. However, the court ruled in the favor of China Publishing House, which claimed that Apple has caused the publisher financial damages and loss -- whereas in contrast, the tech giant was profiting from copyright infringement after allowing the app to be hosted in the App Store.If Apple loses the appeal, it may set a precedent for other copyright holders to fight against content made available in third-party applications -- and could prove more costly than $83,000 in the long run.

Apple apparently fixes bug that stifled iOS app downloads

Apple iOS users can once again download apps, music, and other items without being trapped in a Terms & Conditions loop.Yesterday, people posting in Apple's Support Communities and elsewhere started complaining that they couldn't get past the new Terms & Conditions screen. Recently updated, this screen requires iOS users to agree to Apple's lengthy list of service requirements before they can download items.Despite agreeing to the terms, users kept seeing the same screen pop up over and over again, stopping them from downloading new apps, music, books, movies, and TV shows.Related storiesCan Apple's App Store maintain its lead over Google Play?Apple CEO: We are 'extremely sorry' for Maps flapApple launches 'find maps' list in App StoreApple rolls out fix for iPhone 5 Wi-Fi network data bugBut as of this morning, if not earlier, the glitch had apparently been fixed, according to MacRumors and other sources. I received the new Terms & Conditions screen on my iPhone this morning and was able to get past it with no trouble.The bug affected purchases via Apple's App Store and iTunes on both iOS devices and the Mac, MacRumors said.Users of the Mac App Store and iTunes Match were also stuck in the loop. The problem itself may have been confined to just the United States.CNET has contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if the company responds.