This could run for a while, as the battle for the smartphone market becomes ever more vicious – now it appears the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington will look into Nokia’s claims against Apple.

The ITC will investigate Nokia’s patent-infringement claims against Apple. If the investigation falls against Apple then iPhone, iPod and Mac shipments into the computer company’s biggest market – the US – may be banned.

The ITC hasn’t yet declared any decision to investigate Apple’s counter-suit against Nokia.