Apple’s legal department is “actively investigating” claims by Lodsys, a patent holding company that’s suing some iPhone and iPad developers using in-app purchase systems, reports “The Guardian” (http://macte.ch/6bcDZ).

So far Lodsys has served papers on about a dozen iOS developers. Last week patent holding firm Lodsys began targeting small iOS developers with notices of patent infringement for providing in-app purchase and/or Apple App Store purchase links within their apps. The company said developers had to obtain a license within 21 days or face the prospect of a lawsuit.

Lodsys has been criticized by some for targeting app and website publishers instead of Apple itself. Apple isn’t expected to respond to the claims until later this week, says “The Guardian.”

— Dennis Sellers