Delhi HC lifts ban on OnePlus One smartphone sale in India

It’s truly a Merry Christmas for OnePlus as the Delhi High Court has lifted the ban on sale of the One in India, at least for now. The HC had earlier barred the Chinese smartphone maker from selling its Cyanogen-based devices here.

According to _The Economic Time_s that has seen the copy on OnePlus’ petition, justices Pradeep Nandrajog and RK Gauba have said, “We dispose off the appeal, setting aside the impugned order dated December 16, 2014.” They’ve said the case will be ‘heard and decided afresh’ with the hearing on January 7 with a single judge.

Those not in the know-how, in a lawsuit, Micromax had  said that it has signed an exclusive deal with Cyanogen and “incurred major expenses in creating an exclusive brand of Cyanogen-based smartphones in India.” Pointing to OnePlus, it had also added that the company would “suffer irreparable harm and loss if the defendants (OnePlus) are permitted to continue with their illegal acts in violation of the agreement between Micromax and Cyanogen.”

The company further stated that OnePlus knew that Cyanogen had exclusively partnered with the Indian brand and despite that was selling phones with the OS.

With the December 16 ban now lifted, the OnePlus can now reportedly import devices. It should be noted, however, the company was allowed to sell its existing stock here even with the December 16 order.

Shenzhen OnePlus Technology has argued that its smartphones run on CM11S version of Cyanogen and not the one running on Micromax’s Yureka with exclusive rights. It has reportedly even sought three months to clear its existing stock and come up with a new software that replaces Cyanogen. Meanwhile, Micromax is all set to start selling its Cyanogen-based Yu Yureka from January 13.