Not that we didn't see this coming but HTC just announced that they are suing Apple for allegedly violating five un-mentioned patents. This comes just a little over a month after Apple filed suit against HTC.

They are seeking to halt importation and sale of the iPhone, iPod and iPad, which as we all know probably won't happen. The rest of the press release (after the break) is mostly an ad for HTC with little substance about the case or complaint.

Apple is fighting at least two major phone manufactures now: Nokia (see coverage at TiPB) and HTC. Needless to say it feels kind of good to see HTC fire back at Apple, but whether or not they have actually have a case to be made or they are tying up the courts on tit-for-tat litigation remains to be seen.

And in keeping with the spirit of swiping property, we stole TiPB's awesome image from their article. So sue us, Rene!

Full press release below.

Update: Gizzmodo has the full run down on the five alleged patent infringements. They mostly related to the dialer (retrieval and display of contact information) and device power management designs.

HTC SUES APPLE FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT

Complaint outlines five HTC patents infringed by Apple products

Seattle – May 12, 2010 – HTC Corporation today took legal action against Apple Inc., filing a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) to halt the importation and sale of the iPhone, iPad and iPod in the United States.

“As the innovator of the original Windows Mobile PocketPC Phone Edition in 2002 and the first Android smartphone in 2008, HTC believes the industry should be driven by healthy competition and innovation that offer consumers the best, most accessible mobile experiences possible,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of North America, HTC Corporation. “We are taking this action against Apple to protect our intellectual property, our industry partners, and most importantly our customers that use HTC phones.”

HTC’s commitment to innovation has continued for more than a decade as it has focused on building a portfolio of the world’s most advanced smartphones that are inspired by consumers and provide them with a variety of choices in software, design, form-factor, price and wireless carrier. Today, consumers in the United States can choose between 12 HTC smartphones with the national wireless carriers. HTC has continuously strived to bring innovative smartphone choices to consumers, like the recently unveiled HTC EVO 4G with Sprint, DROID Incredible by HTC with Verizon Wireless and the HTC HD2 with T-Mobile. For more information on HTC’s long-standing commitment to consumers innovation and choice go to: www.htc.com/quietlybrilliant

About HTC
HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.