Motorola Inc. on Wednesday filed complaints against Apple Inc., alleging that Apple's iPhone, iPad and certain Macintosh computers infringe Motorola's patents.

Motorola said its subsidiary Motorola Mobility has filed complaints with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and in two US district courts in Illinois and Florida.

Overall, the three complaints include 18 patents which relate to technologies found on many of Apple's core products and associated services, including MobileMe and the App Store, Motorola said.

Motorola has asked the ITC to launch an investigation into Apple's use of Motorola patents as well as prohibiting the importation and further sales of infringing products in the United States.

It also requested that Apple cease using Motorola's patented technology and provide compensation for past infringement.

According to Motorola, the allegedly infringed patents relate to antenna design, wireless email, proximity sensing, software application management, location-based services and multi-device synchronization.

"After Apple's late entry into the telecommunications market, we engaged in lengthy negotiations, but Apple has refused to take a license," Kirk Dailey, corporate vice president of intellectual property at Motorola Mobility, said in a statement.

"We had no choice but to file these complaints to halt Apple's continued infringement. Motorola will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its R&D and intellectual property, which are critical to the company's business," Dailey added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 7, 2010)