These days, new and updated electronics are appearing every week. The majority of products are patented upon release, or have patents pending.

Companies that implement innovative ideas deserve the right for other manufacturers to be forbidden from copying their intellectual property. That's a brief explanation of what a patent is, and if any company infringes it they risk being sued.

The Apple iPhone was revolutionary when it was released back in June 2007. It changed the industry from tactile buttons to touch screens. The Graphical User Interface is simply beautiful, adopting its looks from its big brother 'Snow Leopard'. The iPhone made every other manufacturer rush to compete; with some aspects difficult to be replicated. For instance, Apple's multi-touch capacitive screen technology still remains the best on any phone, with unprecedented accuracy, and subsequently patented in January 2009.

However, Apple isn't as squeaky clean as some people may believe. Nokia recently announced they wish to sue Apple for infringing patents on mobile phone technology. They accused Apple of "trying to get a free ride on the back of Nokia's innovation." Allegedly, there are ten patent infringements, which include wireless data, speech coding, security and encryption features of the iPhone. Nokia have agreements with approximately 40 manufacturers, permitting them to use their technology; with Apple not signing any agreement. A cheeky move by Apple, seeing as Nokia have invested £36.2 billion on research and development during the last two decades. No doubt both companies will have elite lawyers working for them.

Ilkka Rahnasto (Vice President of Legal and Intellectual Property - Nokia)

It seems as though elite companies would rather take the risk of infringing patents than getting clearance prior to launching their products. Apple is a huge computer company, with large dominance in the portable market since the release of the iPod, iPhone and MacBook products.