Nokia hits Apple with complaint of patent infringement over iPhone technology

Nokia on Monday  filed a patent infringement complaint against Apple, broadening a high-stakes battle over mobile phones and computers.

In a release, Nokia said Apple had infringed on its patents “in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players and computers.” Nokia filed the complaint Tuesday with the U.S.-based International Trade Commission.

Finland’s Nokia is the world’s biggest mobile phone producer, but Apple is arguably the most dynamic player in the market given the revolution caused by its iPhone. It is also the industry leader in profits. Both the iPhone and iMac products are included in Nokia’s complaint.

The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that adjudicates cases involving imports that allegedly infringe on intellectual property rights. It includes Democratic and Republican nominees who must be confirmed by the Senate. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some lawmakers weigh in with the ITC on the matter.

Nokia and Apple already had filed separate patent infringement suits against one another.

In its statement, Nokia said patented technologies and pioneering innovations now being used by Apple are critical to Nokia’s success as they allow better user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life. It mentioned seven patent violations in all.

Paul Melin, Nokia’s general manager for patent licensing, said Apple was trying to build its business on Nokia’s innovation.

Apple did not immediately release a statement, but in announcing its own patent infringement suit against Nokia in December, said other companies must compete with it by inventing their own technologies, “not just by stealing ours.”