Nokia, the world’s largest cellphone manufacturer, filed a claim with the Delaware Federal District Court against Apple alleging the company has infringed ten patents owned by Nokia.  The patents relate to crucial processes in the running of a smart phone like wireless data applications, speech coding, security and encryption.

In a press release Nokia stated it has invested over £40-billion in research and development over the last 20 years and claims Apple has infringed its intellectual property rights since the launch of the iPhone’s in 2007.

According to Ikkia Rahnasto, the Vice President of Legal and Intellectual Property at Nokia “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.”  Nokia stated it has entered into license agreement with 40 other mobile phone manufactures regarding these patents.

The litigation can continue for years, but if Nokia wins its case Apple will have to pay Nokia a percentage every time an iPhone is sold.  Even though Nokia is still the market leader it has lost market share since iPhone entered the market.  Could this be an attempt by Nokia to kill its smaller yet highly successful competitor?