In a press release out of Cupertino this week, Apple announced it is suing HTC for patent infringement in 20 different cases. According to Apple, the patents in question deal with the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware, meaning that HTC is being attacked from all sides on this one. While the specific patents aren’t mentioned, this could become a long battle for HTC to stay above water if it turns out Apple’s case is well presented.

Apple issued a brief statement today announcing that they’re responding to Nokia’s lawsuit by launching one of their own. Fight fire with fire, I (and, apparently, Apple) always say. Apple is claiming in the countersuit that Nokia is infringing upon 13 Apple patents. The company claimed back in October that it planned to “vigorously” defend itself against Nokia’s lawsuit, and I guess this is one way to do that.