Nokia sues Apple over wireless patents

Cellphone giant Nokia is suing Apple for allegedly violating its wireless patents with the iPhone.

The Finnish company, the world's biggest cellphone maker, on Thursday said California-based Apple has infringed on 10 patents covering wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption with all iPhone models shipped since its introduction in 2007.

The infringements all related to patents on GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN standards, Nokia said.

"The basic principle in the mobile industry is that those companies who contribute in technology development to establish standards create intellectual property, which others then need to compensate for," said Ilkka Rahnasto, vice-president of legal and intellectual property at Nokia, in a statement.

"Apple is also expected to follow this principle. By refusing to agree [to] appropriate terms for Nokia's intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation."

Nokia has filed a complaint against Apple with the Federal District Court in Delaware.

Apple did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.

Nokia earlier this month announced its first quarterly loss in a decade amid a decline in sales. Apple this week announced strong profits, driven somewhat by increased iPhone sales.