Nokia is suing two Chinese phone manufacturers and a number of distributors for copying its designs. Nokia also issued a cease and desist request in an attempt to stop the sale and distribution of the phones immediately.

The lawsuit was accepted on 12 June, and names manufacturers Shenzhen Telsda Mobile and Song Xun Da Zhong Ke Electronic, and distributors Beijing Tongwanbao, Beijing Xin Tongwanbao and An Wai Avenue.

Nokia says the manufacturers copied the industrial design of its art deco style 7260 phone.

After a sticky start - the Chinese authorities encouraged home grown phone manufacturers - Nokia now leads the Chinese market with 28 per cent market share. That's a little lower than Nokia's share of the global market, and considerably lower than its share of the Asian market, where it's dominated in recent years.

You can browse Telsda's current range in English (sort of), here. ®