Nokia Extends Patent Infringement Charges Against Apple

Nokia Corp. said that it filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) charging that technology in “virtually all” of Apple Computer Inc.’s mobile phones, music players and computers violates the Finnish company’s patents.

The filing extends an action brought against Apple by Nokia in October when it filed suit in U.S. District Court in Delaware alleging that Apple’s iPhone infringes 10 of Nokia’s wireless patents.

Apple subsequently countersued Nokia in early December, claiming violations of 13 of its patents.

Nokia said that the patents in dispute concern technology used by Apple to create features in user interface, camera, antenna and power management.

The company said that the patents were important to its success because they were tied to improved user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life for Nokia products.

Nokia and Apple accused each other of hijacking technologies.

“Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in small electronic devices,” said Paul Mann, Nokia general manager, patent licensing.

“This action is about protecting the results of such pioneering development,” he said.

Mann criticized Apple for what he said was its “practice of building its business on Nokia’s proprietary innovation.”

In its countersuit, Apple accused Nokia of “stealing” its technologies.

“Other companies must compete with us by investing their own technologies, not just by stealing ours,” said Bruce Sewell, Apple general counsel and senior vice president.