When the iPhone was first released last year, we saw Apple hit with a number of patent infringement lawsuits over the device. Apple has been accused of copying multitouch technology as well as the Visual Voicemail feature, but things were fairly quiet on the legal front during the holiday season. The heat is on once again, though, as a company called Minerva Industries has filed a lawsuit against Apple and a company called AtlanticRT alleging that the iPhone infringes on one of Minerva's patents.

The case involves a patent just awarded to Minerva this week. The patent covers a "mobile entertainment and communication device," which Minerva feels is very similar to the iPhone. The company even let Apple know about the patent filing in advance, but Apple took its sweet time and only submitted prior art a week before the patent issuance. The USPTO took a look at the prior art and granted the patent anyway, prompting Minerva to accuse Apple and AtlanticRT of infringement.

Minerva wants Apple to stop using the technology, but also wants the usual boatload of damages, although the boat won't be as big this time since Apple has sold few iPhones (compared to, say iPods). It's hard to tell which track Apple will take with this one. The recent USPTO decision gives Minerva legal ammunition, which might prompt Apple to settle.