Apple Inc. sued HTC Corp., which makes several Google Inc.-based smart phones, saying the cellphone maker is infringing on 20 patents related to its popular iPhone.

Taiwan's HTC has built up its brand in the recent years thanks to its early support of Google's Android operating system. It was the first company to sell an Android phone and more recently built Google's Nexus One phone, which the Internet giant is selling directly to consumers.

Apple filed complaints with both with the U.S. International Trade Commission and in federal court in Delaware. The suits seek a ban on U.S. imports, sales or use of the targeted HTC phones, as well as unspecified compensation for damages.

The company's ITC complaint claims several of HTC's devices, including the Nexus One, as well as phones running Windows Mobile infringe on its patents. The company said the patents involve the iPhone's touch-screen user interface, underlying architecture and hardware.