Apple takes Nokia lawsuit battle to the UK

Apple today sued Nokia in the UK today over most of the same patents that have covered its US countersuit. The claims cover nine of the 13 original claims covering the touchscreen technology of the iPhone and other computing technologies. Nokia said it was investigating the claims but had yet to offer a formal response.

Apple hasn't commented on the motivations behind expanding its legal action beyond the US.

The lawsuit had been prompted by Nokia's original complaint accusing Apple of refusing to license patents that Nokia claims cover core aspects of 3G cellular access. Apple has both disputed the legitimacy of the patents and tried to portray Nokia as using the lawsuit for leverage to get competitive secrets. The Finnish company allegedly wanted to settle the lawsuit only through a cross-licensing deal for patents that would have given Nokia permission to use some of the techniques behind the iPhone.

Some issues should be addressed by the ITC this year, but most won't be examined until a formal trial in 2012.

By Electronista Staff