A US federal judge has put the Apple-Nokia legal battle on hold, until the feds get their chance to investigate into the whole matter that seems to have tangled itself to no end. The federal agency will scrutinize the details of the case, which involves patent infringement claims.

The U. S. International Trade Commission said on Friday it has agreed to investigate Apple Inc’s patent infringement complaint against Nokia Oyj, as the legal battle between the two technology heavyweights continues to play out.

The mud-slinging game started in October 2009, when Nokia sued Apple, alleging that Apple violated its ten patents without paying for them.

The mobile giant stated that it approached Cupertino with licensing terms, but was refuted.

The company’s IP Veep Ilkka Rahnasto stated firmly in 2009, “By refusing to agree appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation”.

Then it was time for Apple to carry the torch.

They countersued Nokia, asking the International Trade Commission to block Nokia from selling some of its mobile models in the U. S., accusing that with the particular models, Nokia infringed upon nine of its patents.

Both companies have accused the other of wasting the court’s time, and have categorically denied any infringement on their parts.