Motorola alleging patent infringement and unfair trade practices against the Canadian maker of the BlackBerry device. The complaint against Research in Motion (RIM) said the BlackBerry maker infringed on Motorola's patents in key technology areas, including Wi-Fi access and power management.

"These patented technologies are important to Motorola as they allow for more comprehensive connectivity, a better user experience and lower product costs," Motorola said in announcing the complaint filed with the International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial arm of the Commerce Department.

Motorola called for an ITC investigation that could potentially lead to an ordering banning some importation of some BlackBerry devices, which are widely used in the United States.

Jonathan Meyer, senior vice president of intellectual property law at Motorola, accused RIM of "delay tactics" in a lawsuit that is pending in the courts.

"Motorola had no choice but to file a complaint with the ITC to halt RIM's continued infringement," he said. Motorola will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its (research) and intellectual property, which are critical to the company's business."

A court case involving the two tech giants is pending in the U.S. courts, with complaints filed in 2008 by each firm accusing the other of misappropriating technology.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010