­Mobile content turned patent holding company, Vringo says that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the UK subsidiary of ZTE.

"The filing of this action in the United Kingdom is an initial step in Vringo's global licensing and enforcement program in the telecommunications sector. ZTE has elected not to take a license to patents in Vringo's portfolio relevant to certain international standards, despite manufacturing and selling devices and equipment for a number of years that are said by ZTE to be compliant with those standards," said David L. Cohen, Head of Licensing, Litigation, and Intellectual Property at Vringo.

The lawsuit, filed in the UK alleges infringement of European Patents (UK) 1,212,919; 1,166,589; and 1,808,029. Declarations have been filed at the European Telecommunications and Standards Institute (ETSI) that cover the patents.

According to the complaint, Vringo is seeking a declaration that its patents have been infringed by ZTE's activities and that the court use its full legal, equitable and injunctive power to stop ZTE's activities as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

"ZTE's liability will continue to increase as long as the issue remains unresolved. We hope that ZTE will work with us to resolve this matter in a positive and productive manner," said Alexander R. Berger, Chief Operating Officer at Vringo.