Nokia Investor Hits Phone Maker With Class Action Suit

Nokia, the world’s largest handset maker, has been hit a class action complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, and has pledged to “vigorously” defend itself.

The complaint, according to Nokia, alleges securities fraud in regard to statements Nokia made between 24 January 2008, and 5 September 2008, about the production and sales of specific mobile devices.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the complaint was filed by US law firm Coughlin Stoia “on behalf of an institutional investor” and that Nokia’s statements “allegedly failed to take manufacturing problems into account.”

Nokia, in its statement, offered the succinct response: “Nokia has reviewed the allegations contained in the complaint and believes that they are without merit.”

Over the last few months, Nokia has also traded legal paperwork with Apple.

On 22 October, Nokia first filed a complaint against Apple, accusing the company of infringing on 10 of its patents for GSM, WLAN and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standards. Apple responded on 12 December, alleging that Nokia currently infringes on 13 of its patents.

Nokia additionally filed another complaint against Apple – this one regarding patent infringements in the areas of user interface, camera, antenna and power management technology – with the International Trade Commission, which has agreed to investigate its complaint.