Ericsson has asserted patents against Apple in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands related to the 2G and 4G/LTE standards.
The company said the suits also count for other technology that is not standardised, but is related to the design of semiconductor components and non-cellular wireless communications.
In a statement the comms provider said it spent two years looking to reach agreement with Apple on a global license for Ericsson’s patents that "are fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory".
Kasim Alfalahi, CIPO at Ericsson, said: "Apple continues to profit from Ericsson’s technology without having a valid license in place. Our technology is used in many features and functionality of today’s communication devices. We are confident the courts in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands will be able to help us resolve this matter in a fair manner."
The firm continued saying Apple does not hold any license for Ericsson‘s technology, but continues to sell products, for which its licenses have expired, on a global scale.
Content from our partners
