Apple is suing rival Samsung Electronics, claiming it has copied the design of its key iPhone and iPad products.
Apple says Samsung's Galaxy range is 'blatant' copy of iPhone and iPad
The US tech giant's case centres on the South Korean firm's line of Galaxy mobile phones and tablets.
Apple believes Samsung's design features, such as the look of its screen icons, are "blatant" copies of its own products.
The 16 claims brought against Samsung include unjust enrichment, trademark infringement and 10 patent claims.
Kristin Huguet, spokeswoman for Apple, said: "This kind of blatant copying is wrong."
"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products."
Apple's complaint against SamsungIn response, the South Korean company said: "Samsung's development of core technologies and strengthening our intellectual property portfolio are keys to our continued success."
This is not the first time tech brands have disagreed over smartphone and tablet designs.
In October 2010, Apple sued Motorola, claiming its smartphones use Apple's intellectual property.
Apple claims Samsung has 'blatantly' copied its iPad design
The tech giants are competing to dominate the global smartphone market which is expected to grow by 58% this year.
The booming tablet market is set to quadruple to 70 million units in 2011.
To better compete with Apple's iPad2, Samsung redesigned its new 10.1 inch tablet in February, to make it the thinnest in the category.
Another tech company which wants a bite of the tablet market is Blackberry maker Research In Motion, which launched its own PlayBook today.
BlackBerry maker Research In Motion launches the PlayBook
Investors' eyes are now on the new gadget, which will try to take on the iPad and the Galaxy tablet.
The PlayBook is targeted at both consumers and professionals but RIM introduced it as "the world's first professional grade tablet".
But despite competition, the Apple iPad is predicted to remain king of the tablets by controlling more than half of the market for the next three years.