The United States International Trade Commission decided on Monday to start an investigation of whether Apple Inc infringes upon Nokia's patents, the trade body's Internet page showed.

In late December, Nokia filed a claim with the ITC, alleging that Apple had infringed seven of its patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers sold.

The two companies are in the midst of a major legal battle, which started last October when Nokia charged Apple for using its patented technologies without paying for them.

(Reporting by Tarmo Virki, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Electronics Apple Apple inc.