The alleged patent infringement applies to all iPhones since its 2007 launch

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone maker, has said that it is suing its US rival Apple for infringing patents on mobile phone technology for the iPhone.

Nokia said it had not been compensated for its technology, and accused Apple of "trying to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation".

The 10 alleged patent infringements involve wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption.

Apple, which did not comment on the news, saw its shares dip slightly.

The breaches applied to all models of the iPhone since its launch in 2007, Nokia added.

'Basic principle'

Finland's Nokia said that it had agreements with about 40 firms - including most mobile phone handset makers - allowing them to use the firm's technology, but that Apple had not signed an agreement.

"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," said Ilkka Rahnasto, vice-president of legal and intellectual property at Nokia.

"Apple is also expected to follow this principle."

He added that during the last two decades, Nokia had invested approximately 40bn euros (£36.2bn; $60bn) on research and development.

Earlier this month, Nokia posted its first quarterly loss in a decade amid falling sales.

Analysts said that the poor results had come partly as customers turned from Nokia models to the iPhone and RIM's Blackberry.

Meanwhile, Apple reported profits of $1.67bn (£1bn) in the three months to 26 September - partly due to a 7% growth in iPhone sales.