Nokia and Apple continue their patent disputes

Nokia and Apple continue their patent disputes, accusing each other of patent infringement. Nokia previously sought a ban on iPhone sales in the US. Apple recently responded to Nokia's lawsuit by filing a petition with the International Trade Commission. The petition states that Nokia mobile phones use Apple designs. Therefore, sales of Nokia-made phones in the US should be banned.

Apple's lawyers stated that they are prepared to "vigorously defend" themselves against Nokia. Nokia representatives, in turn, reiterate that Apple has failed to provide convincing evidence of its innocence in Nokia's previously filed lawsuits.

So, currently, the U.S. International Trade Commission is facing two lawsuits from Apple and Nokia. The review of these lawsuits could take more than a year.

The patent dispute between the two market leaders may be just the beginning of a more global competition between two powerful companies that are competitors in the mobile market.

Nokia has been struggling recently and is losing market share, while Apple is increasing its share. In the third quarter of last year, Apple surpassed Nokia in terms of phone market profits. The patent war could be protracted, as it's not a war about principles, but about market share.