LG Electronics filed complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission and United States District Court for the District of Delaware against BLU and its products for infringing five LG patents that have been declared as essential to the LTE standard.

LG says it took these legal actions against BLU following unsuccessful attempts over the past year to engage BLU in licensing discussions.

These are the first complaints LG has filed against another phone manufacturer. "It was filed because BLU, the largest seller of unlocked smartphones in the United States, has ignored all of LG's attempts to discuss a license to LG's intellectual property. LG is determined to enforce its intellectual property rights," LG said.

LG is one of the largest holders of U.S. LTE Standard Essential Patents.