Peter Clarke EE Times (01/07/2010 8:35 AM EST)

LONDON — Mobile phone maker Nokia has launched a law suit alleging patent infringement against Apple Inc., according to a Reuters report.

The suit was filed in a Delaware court in the United States on Dec. 29, 2009, seeking damages and was made at the same time that Nokia filed a complaint against Apple with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging infringement of patents in "virtually all" Apple cellphones, portable music players and computers.

The cases refer to seven patents held by Nokia that cover the user interface, as well as camera, antenna and power management technologies. The lawsuit for damages is complementary to the ITC complaint as, while the ITC can ban the importation of infringing equipment, it does not impose fines.

Nokia, still the world's largest mobile phone vendor, has been the major victim of the success of the Apple iPhone in the creation and fostering of the smartphone market.