Washington Research Firm, located in Seattle, Washington, is claiming that one of its scientists was awarded a patent for some of the technology used in Bluetooth back in 1999. The firm is claiming damages for infringement on the use of “simplified high frequency broadband tuner and tuning method.”

The firm is suing Nokia, Samsung and Panasonic claiming that these cell phone makers “have manufactured, used, imported into the United States, sold and offered for sale devices which, or the use of which, infringes at least the ’963′ patent.” This essential means the manufacturers are using Bluetooth technology in their phones without paying royalties.

It appears the suit is aimed at products manufactured by CSR, a British chip manufacturer. Broadcom, CSR’s US based competitor has a license for the patented technology.

Many suits have been filed over Bluetooth but none have yet succeeded in court.

Bluetooth technology was thought to have originated at Ericsson from the work of Jaap Haartsen. Ericsson gave the technology away in an attempt to create a market for Bluetooth devices.

None of the companies in this suit have issued a comment.