Following on their action in October, Nokia have asked the US International Trade Commission to investigate Apple, alleging that '[they infringe] Nokia patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers'. The patents in question cover the areas of user interface, camera, antenna and power management technologies. Read on for more.

This is another step in the on-going patent dispute between Nokia and Apple. It follows Nokia suing Apple over patent infringements related to GSM, UTMS and WLAN and Apple counter-suing Nokia. However it should be noted that this latest action relates to a different set of patents in the areas of user interface, camera, antenna and power management technologies. The patents also, allegedly, apply to a broader range of Apple's product offerings (iPhones, iPods and Apple Computers).

Apple has won media and consumer plaudits for its product's user experience innovations and boasted of its patents designed to protect these innovations. However Nokia has a very large patent portfolio of its own and its innovation in user interface may not have the current prominence in the media, but are no less significant and arguably far more widespread. Given the complexities involved, both technical and legal, it is difficult to accurately comment on the merits of any part of the patent dispute. It likely that any media or consumer perception will not include a full assessment of these complexities.

The use of the US International Trade Commission is notable as actions through the ITC are sometimes resolved more quickly than through a standard patent court case and can result in the infringing products coming under an import ban.

Here's the press release from Nokia:

Nokia requests ITC investigation into Apple patent infringement
December 29, 2009

Espoo, Finland - Nokia announced it has today filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Apple infringes Nokia patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers.

The seven Nokia patents in this complaint relate to Nokia's pioneering innovations that are now being used by Apple to create key features in its products in the area of user interface, as well as camera, antenna and power management technologies. These patented technologies are important to Nokia's success as they allow better user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life for Nokia products.

"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in small electronic devices" said Paul Melin, General Manager, Patent Licensing at Nokia. "This action is about protecting the results of such pioneering development.  While our litigation in Delaware is about Apple's attempt to free-ride on the back of Nokia investment in wireless standards, the ITC case filed today is about Apple's practice of building its business on Nokia's proprietary innovation."

Via Nokia's Press Centre.