HTC sues Apple, seeks ban on iPhone, iPad sale

Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC Corp has filed a complaint against technology giant Apple Inc with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), seeking a ban on the sale of the iPhone, iPad and iPod in the US.

In a statement, HTC Corporation stated that it has taken "legal action against Apple Inc, filing a complaint with the ITC to halt the importation and sale of the iPhone, iPad and iPod in the United States."

In the complaint, HTC has accused Apple of infringing five of its patents.

"As the innovator of the original Windows Mobile PocketPC Phone Edition in 2002 and the first Android smartphone in 2008, HTC believes the industry should be driven by healthy competition and innovation that offer consumers the best, most accessible mobile experiences possible," HTC Corporation vice president (North America) Jason Mackenzie said.

"We are taking this action against Apple to protect our intellectual property, our industry partners and, most importantly, our customers who use HTC phones," Mackenzie added.

This move is believed to be a counter-attack by HTC to an action taken by Apple in March. Back then, Apple had sued HTC, alleging that it had infringed 20 patents relating to the iPhone. HTC offers a range of 12 HTC smartphones to its consumers in the United States.