Helferich files patent lawsuit against Nokia

NEW YORK, July 12 (Reuters) - A patent licensing firm sued Finnish phone maker Nokia (NOK1V.HE) in a U.S. court, alleging patent infringement related to seven mobile phone patents.

Helferich Patent Licensing, which says it holds patents or has patents pending in the United States and overseas, filed the lawsuit in the state of Illinois, where it is based and where it says Nokia sells its phones through companies such as Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) and AT&T (T.N).

Helferich said in the court papers filed on Monday that it informed Nokia of the patent infringement more than two years ago. It also said 27 companies, including Nokia competitors such as Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc MMI.N, have honored its patents and obtained licenses to use the technology in their handsets.

Helferich is seeking an injunction barring Nokia from making or selling the products.

A Nokia spokeswoman was not immediately available for a comment on Tuesday.

The case is in Re: Helferich Patent Licensing vs Nokia Corp, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, 11-04681 (Reporting by Caroline Humer; editing by John Wallace)