Apple moves to ban import of Nokia phones to US

Paul Nesbitt

Apple has filed a complaint to the International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Nokia has infringed its intellectual property and demanding that the ITC block Nokia from importing phones into the US.

Nokia responded by saying that it will 'study the complaint and defend itself vigorously'.

The battle between Apple and Nokia has become increasingly nasty. It started last October when Nokia sued Apple, claiming that Apple infringed 10 of its patents US District Court in Delaware.

Apple then retaliated with a suit that claimed Nokia had unlawfully used 13 Apple patents.

Nokia blamed Apple because the iPhone maker had 'failed to agree to appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia's innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007.'

Nokia has filed so many mobile phone patents (around 10,000) over the years that some industry experts believe it is virtually impossible to produce a mobile device without coming to a deal with Nokia.

Nokia was helped develop standards like 2G, 3G and WiFi, along with technologies for data and voice coding, encryption and security.

Apple could decide to challenge the validity of Nokia's patents, according to some industry watchers.

Reuters estimated that Nokia will seek compensation for patent infringements from Apple amounting to as much as $1.5 billion.

Apple (along with RIM) has also been sued by Kodak, which has alleged that Apple is using its technology in the iPhone's camera feature without permission.