Nokia Corp., the world's biggest cellphone maker, said Thursday it had filed a lawsuit against smaller rival Apple, claiming that its iPhone infringes ten technology patents of Nokia.

Ten patents in the case, which was filed in Delaware, United States, relate to technologies that are fundamental for devices using GSM, UMTS and/or local area network (LAN) standards, Nokia said in the lawsuit. Nokia says these technologies are fundamental to making devices compatible with one or more mobile standards.

“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, Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia, said in a statement.

“By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia's intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation,” Rahnasto noted.

Nokia said it has invested approximately €40 billion, or $60 billion, in research and development but accused Apple of failing to adequately compensate it.

Nokia said 40 main handset vendors have licensed its technologies, but it has not reached agreement with Apple.

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