Apple's next gen iPhone should be with us in September or October based on the ever increasing number of rumours and reports.

However, the autumn months could come and go without seeing an iPhone launch. The reason? HTC has filed a patent-related complaint with the International Trade Commission against the Cupertino-based company, which could see the iPhone release being delayed, Bloomberg reports.

The filing issued by Taiwan-based HTC with the ITC, claims that Apple has infringed three of its patents relating to wireless technology. HTC is seeking to block the import of Apple's devices that allegedly misuse its patented technology, including the iPhone and iPad, until a decision has been made by the quasi-judicial ITC.

So in theory, if the ITC backs HTC's request and a decision doesn't come any time soon, the autumn release of Apple's iPhone could be put back. Such rulings can take months and sometimes even years, but hopefully this won't be the case.

But the story is even more confused as Apple itself has filed a suit claiming that HTC is actually the one stealing its technology and profiting from Apple's innovation. "Competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours," Kristin Huguet, an Apple spokesperson stated.