Nokia sues Apple over iPhone and iPad technology

Asavin Wattanajantra

Nokia continued its legal battle with Apple, launching the fifth patent complaint between the two companies in the past year.

Apple has taken Nokia’s place at the front end of touchscreen device development, which is featured on the massively successful iPhone and potentially just as successful iPad.

The legal battle began in October when Nokia accused Apple of infringing ten patents and proceeding to demand royalties. According to Bloomberg, Nokia has accused Apple of infringing ten patents in the newest complaint.

They relate to enhanced speech and data transmission, as well as antenna configuration which are supposed to improve performance and save space.

“This suit shows Nokia is serious,” Tero Kuittinen told Bloomberg, an analyst at Greenwich, Connecticut-based MKM Partners who advises investors to sell Nokia shares. “

“Even in the last suit, they brought out everything but the kitchen sink, covering user interface, power consumption, speaker, camera. This is one of the broadest clusters of patent litigation in the sector over the past 10 years.”

Nokia is likely making its own plans for smartphones and tablets, but the complain asks for cash compensation and the halting of Apple use of Nokia inventions. Apple did not comment.