Apple may still be in a legal battle with Samsung over alleged patent- and copyright violations, as well as being involved in a trademark infringement battle over the use of the iCloud name, but at least its legal battle with Nokia has ended.

Nokia has announced that it has signed a patent license agreement with the Cupertino-based iPhone and iPad maker. This agreement will result in the settlement of all patent litigation between the two tech giants, kicked off by Nokia in late 2009. In October of that year Nokia sued Apple claiming that the company’s iPhone infringed upon ten of its patents relating to cellular and Wi-Fi technologies.

The conclusion of all legal action between the two companies includes the withdrawal by Nokia and Apple of their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission. The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple as well as on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to the Finnish phone maker for the term of the agreement, with the specific terms of the contract remaining confidential.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees," said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. "This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

Nokia also recently introduced its own BBM-type instant messaging program called IM for Nokia, which allows users to connect to their friends, colleagues and family members over Wi-Fi or 3G via Nokia’s own instant messaging client.