A Chinese company has lost its bid to copyright the shape of the classic Mini for use as a new EVBeijing Estek Technology submitted a patent to China’s State Intellectual Property Office in May last year for a car that looked disturbingly
. It combined the general body shape of the 1969-2001 car, characterized by its concealed door hinges, but also displayed details of older Minis, such as the radiator grille, rear lights and rear license plate lamp.