Nokia is set to take Apple to court over what it sees as patent infringements being used in the Apple iPhone. The complaint filed with the Federal District Court in Delaware alleges that the Apple iPhone infringes on Nokia patents relating to GSM, UMTS and wireless LAN (WLAN) standards. What does that mean for the future of the Apple iPhone? Find out more after the jump…

Nokia is looking to take Apple to court over ten patents that relate to technologies fundamental to making devices compatible with one or more of the GSM, UMTS (3G WCDMA) and wireless LAN standards. The patents cover wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption and are infringed by all Apple iPhone models shipped since the iPhone was introduced in 2007.

There is an understanding within the mobile phone industry that Nokia innovations are for the good of everyone and quickly become the de facto standards that everyone uses. In return, the phone makers sign up for a license to use Nokia’s developed top-tech.

Now, it seems that Apple hasn’t yet adhered to this theory, so Nokia is rightly set to take them to court. Ilkka Rahnasto, Vice President, Legal & Intellectual Property at Nokia pointed out that ‘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. Apple is also expected to follow this principle. 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.’

Does this mean we’ll see the end of the Apple iPhone? Highly unlikely, it just means that Apple will fall in line with the other manufacturers and pay money that’s due. What do you think about this announcement? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.