HTC punches back at Apple in patent dispute, files complaint against the iPhone, iPad and iPod

HTC punches back at Apple in patent dispute

NEW YORK — Taiwanese cell phone maker HTC has filed a legal complaint against Apple, looking to block sales of the iPhone and other Apple products.

The complaint, filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission, steps up an ongoing patent dispute between the two companies.

Apple Inc. sued HTC Corp. in March, claiming the company’s cell phones violate its patents on the iPhone. HTC makes several phones that run on Google Inc.’s Android operating system, a competitive threat for Apple.

HTC’s complaint is not likely to block sales of Apple products any time soon. Patent disputes are common among tech companies and often take years to resolve.