(Yicai Global) Oct. 9 -- A Chinese instant messenger app that racked up some seven million downloads in its first week was taken down from Apple's App Store today.

iOS users in the country were unable to find the app, called Ziduan Duanxin in Chinese, when searching the App Storetoday. For those who had previously obtained the app from the platform, the download option has been replaced with a message indicating that it is no longer available.

The app's developer Kuairu Technology indicated that the delisting was due to copyright issues in a comment to Yicai Global, adding that the Beijing-based firm was working on a solution.

Kuairu, which lists local smartphone maker Smartisan as its angel investor, released Bullet Messenger in last August with a view to rivaling WeChat's dominant position in the instant messaging sector. The app aimed to differentiate itself from the Tencent app through the use of real-time speech-to-texttranslation. Bullet Messenger also allows users to simultaneously receive speech and text sent by others.

The app topped App Store rankings quickly after its launch. Smartisan Chief Executive and founder Yonghao confirmed at the end of August that the startup had secured CNY150 million (USD22 million) in A-round financing valuing the company at CNY600 million.

Editor: William Clegg