Nokia files legal broadside at Apple

Nokia has asked the courts to stop Apple importing its hardware into the US

Nokia has launched two lawsuits against Apple as the legal battle between the two smartphone giants heats up.

Nokia filed one action in Delaware on 29 December accusing Apple of patent violations on seven of its products, covering features linked to user interface, cameras, antennas and power management technologies.

The suit asked the Federal court to block Apple from importing almost all of its current hardware into the US, including the iPhone, iPod and Mac lines.

Additionally, by filing the case with a Federal court, Nokia has the chance of financial redress from Apple if the claims are upheld.

Nokia also issued a parallel action with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) over the same patents to have the claims investigated and potentially an injunction served against Apple.

The move comes after both companies issued legal actions against each another last year over further alleged patent infringements on technologies ranging from GSM to handset connections.

In October Nokia accused Apple of using its technology on the iPhone without a licence, but Apple hit back in December by filing a claim that Nokia infringed 13 of its patents regarding handset operation and connections with computers.

Paul Melin, general manager for patent licensing at Nokia, said that the ITC suit had been issued in order to protect the results of Nokia's "pioneering development".

Apple declined to comment on the story. Nokia declined to comment other than confirming the details of the case.