Nokia vs. Apple mobile battle takes a swing in Nokias favour

Nokia and Apple have been squabbling like kids in a playground since last Autumn, and GoMo News has been following the story with glee. It seemed like they would slap at each other forever… but just this week it looks like Nokia might be gaining the upper hand.

What’s the story?

You can read our detailed look at the whole fight – but here’s the short version:

October 2009: Nokia sues Apple, claiming it hasn’t paid for 10 Nokia patents it is using.

December 2009: Apple counter sues Nokia, claiming Nokia is infringing 13 Apple patents. It also accuses Nokia of trying to compete through theft instead of innovation.

December 2009 and January 2010: Nokia files two more complaints about Apples use of patents – and calls on the International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban US imports of pretty much every Apple device on the market until the patent license fees were properly dealt with.

January 2010: Apple asks the ITC to do the same thing to Nokia, calling for a ban of all Nokia imports to the US.

What now?

It is part of the duties of the ITC to investigate foreign imports to the US and ensure they don’t infringe on any US patents. And the ITC has declared that is honoring Nokia’s request to investigate Apple imports. It won’t happen immediately – there’s a lot of red tape to get through first. Within the next 45 days, the ITC will set a timeline for completing the investigation. After that yet-to-be-determined deadline is reached, six judges from the ITC will make a recommendation based on the investigation – but that recommendation will have to be reviewed by the entire ITC judiciary body before it is acted on.

So any actual results Apple may see from this are a long way down the line. But in the developing Apple vs. Nokia battle, it’s the first indication that either side may actually be in with a chance to win this thing – unless, of course, the ITC also announces it will be honoring Apples request to investigate Nokia.