Asian Tech Press (Jan 19) -- According to media reports, Ericsson has again filed a patent lawsuit against Apple, which is the latest round of "competition" between the two companies over the royalty issue of iPhone 5G wireless patents.

It is reported that the two companies signed a seven-year telecommunications patent licensing contract in 2015, and last year, the two sides failed to negotiate the renewal, and since then, began to sue each other in the United States. In October, Ericsson filed its first lawsuit, claiming Apple was unfairly trying to lower its patent royalties, and Apple followed suit in December, accusing it of using "strong-arm tactics" to renew its patents.

An Apple spokesman said Tuesday that "Ericsson has refused to negotiate fair terms for an extension of the patent license agreement and is instead suing Apple around the world for excessive royalties, and we are asking the court to help determine a fair price."

According to a recent filing by Ericsson, it still wants to charge $5 per iPhone ($1 discount for signing up early). An Ericsson spokeswoman said: "As the previous agreement has expired, we were unable to agree on the terms and scope of the new license and Apple is now using our technology without a license."

Ericsson invests about $5 billion a year in research and holds more than 57,000 patents, with royalties accounting for about a third of its operating profit.