Nokia Files Complaint: iPod, iPhone and Macs All Infringe Our Patents

Remember that lawsuit Nokia filed against Apple claiming that the consumer electronics giant was infringing its wireless patents with the iPhone? That alone might well have cost Apple a billion bucks, but today it gets even worse.

Nokia has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that Apple infringes Nokia patents with almost every product it produces — from the iPhone to the iPod and all the way into its line of computers.

The Finnish cellular juggernaut lists seven different patents in the complaint, relating to innovations in user interface, camera, antenna and power management technologies. The company's General Manager of Patent Licensing Paul Melin said in a statement: "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."

Ouch. If we thought the gauntlets were thrown down last time, this would be equivalent to tossing some Power Gloves. Of course, Apple doesn't exactly seem to be shaking in its boots thus far, having filed a countersuit against the first round of allegations. We'll be watching this industrial patent version of a tennis match closely to see how Apple responds to this latest volley. Care to wager on a winner?