The US International Trade Commission said it will begin an investigation following a complaint made against HTC by Apple. The iPhone and iPad maker is calling for an injunction into the import of infringing products from HTC into the US, naming a number of devices across “4G” network technologies as well as the Flyer tablet. The action is centred on devices using the Google-backed Android platform, and according to the ITC concerns “hardware and software used in a variety of portable electronic devices, including mobile communication equipment.” This is the second case Apple has brought against HTC with the ITC. It was previously reported that the Commission was favouring HTC in the earlier case. HTC has also made complaints about Apple, including an action with the ITC.

HTC previously said that it was “dismayed” by Apple’s actions, while stating that it would “continue to protect and defend its own intellectual property as it has already done this year.” In the interim, the Taiwan-based vendor has been bolstering its own intellectual property portfolio, strengthening its hand in any patent negotiations. This week it announced the acquisition of mobile cloud computing player Dashwire, which it was suggested may strengthen its defensive hand. It previously inked a deal to acquire S3 Graphics, a company which owns a patent portfolio which has previously been asserted against Apple.