The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate another patent complaint brought by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) against HTC, intensifying the legal battle between the two smartphone makers.

The ITC said it will look into Apple's accusations that HTC infringed on five patents related to software architecture and user interfaces in portable electronic devices, hardware for touch screens and movement sensors. Apple is seeking to block the importation of HTC's Android smartphones as well as its Flyer tablet.

"HTC respects intellectual property and will continue to protect and defend its protected innovations," Grace Lei, HTC's general counsel, said in a statement provided to news outlets. "We will fully cooperate with the ITC's investigation and look forward to showing that we are not in violation of any of Apple's patents."

In July, a judge at the ITC found that HTC infringed on two Apple patents. HTC has said it will appeal the ruling to the full, six-member ITC, and a decision is not expected until late this year. However, HTC CFO Winston Young has also said the company is willing to negotiate a settlement of some kind with Apple.

For more:
- see this Bloomberg article
- see this Reuters article

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