Nokia has backed up Apple's bid to have various Samsung projects banned from sale on the grounds of patent infringement, Digital Spy said.

The Cupertino firm is appealing a ruling by Judge Lucy Koh stating it must prove beyond doubt that the allegedly infringing features of Samsung devices were "important drivers" behind the consumer demand for them.

Apple claims that the judge's decree sets the bar too high, a sentiment that Nokia has now backed up.

The Nordic manufacturer has filed an amicus curiae - or 'friend of the court' - brief in support of the iPhone maker, pointing out that Judge Koh's ruling could set a damaging precedent for patent protection cases and make it impossible for firms to protect their investments.

Nokia was quick to point out that it is not directly siding with Apple, but merely moving to protect its own interests as a patent holder.

In December, Apple had a request to permanently ban 26 Samsung products from sale rejected on the ground that it could not prove a relationship between customer demand and the features in question.