Apple loses patent case to firm owned by Nokia and Sony

Apple has been found guilty of infringing patents held by a licensing firm owned in part by Nokia and Sony.

A jury in the Delaware US District Court ruled that Apple's iPhone violated three patents held by MobileMedia Ideas LLC, a US patent-holding firm which specialises in the smartphone handset space.

According to MobileMedia, the jury found that the Apple iPhone violated patents related to mobile phone cameras, call handling and call rejection. No word on damages or a potential appeal was given.

"MobileMedia Ideas is pleased that the jury confirmed Apple's iPhones use our patented technology," said MobileMedia chief executive Larry Horn.

"MobileMedia Ideas' objective is to make these important technologies and others used in mobile phone and other portable devices widely available. We welcome Apple and others to enter into licences for the use of these technologies."

The case is one of several MobileMedia is currently pursuing against big name smartphone manufacturers. The company said that it has filed similar suits against Research in Motion and HTC.

Apple is no stranger to patent litigation. The company has spent much of the year pursuing infringement cases against a number of Android handset makers, including Samsung and Motorola Mobility, around the world.

Though Apple has won a number of rulings, the company has also found itself receiving countersuits from Samsung and others.