Nokia has said that the machines infringe patents it holds that cover the transmission of information, the use of geographical data in applications and claimed innovations in antenna technology.
"The patents in question relate to technologies for enhanced speech and data transmission, using positioning data in applications and innovations in antenna configurations that improve performance and save space, allowing smaller and more compact devices," said a Nokia statement. "These patented innovations are important to Nokia's success as they allow improved product performance and design."
Nokia, which is the world's biggest handset maker, has filed its suit in the Federal District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin. The company is already suing Apple over 17 other alleged patent infringements in Delaware and in front of the US's International Trade Commission, which can bar the importing of goods it finds to be illegally based on patented technology.
Nokia said that it had moved to protect its interests and to prevent what it said were illegal uses of technologies it had developed.
"Nokia has been the leading developer of many key technologies in mobile devices" said Paul Melin, Nokia's general manager of patent licensing. "We have taken this step to protect the results of our pioneering development and to put an end to continued unlawful use of Nokia's innovation."
The US patent system is often criticised for granting patents that are so broad that they open the way for widespread litigation. Critics say that many technology-related patents make claims so broad that litigation is inevitable.
Even companies which do not actively pursue patent litigation register large numbers of patents as a defensive mechanism to protect themselves against patent claims.
Former Sun Microsystems chief executive Jonathan Schwartz lifted the lid on defensive patent portfolios in a recent blog post.
"I understand the value of patents – offensively and, more importantly, for defensive purposes," said Schwartz. "Sun had a treasure trove of some of the internet’s most valuable patents – ranging from search to microelectronics – so no one in the technology industry could come after us without fearing an expensive counter assault. And there’s no defense like an obvious offense."
Apple has filed patent suits of its own. It has claimed that handset maker HTC violates its patents, and has also claimed that Nokia infringes its patents.
In fact most mobile phone technology companies are currently involved in patent lawsuits, including Blackberry-maker Research In Motion, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
