Apple, Samsung patent truce?
August 6, 2014
Two of the world's top technology companies, Apple and Samsung, agreed on Wednesday to end ongoing patent lawsuits against each other outside of the US, the companies said in a joint statement.
A series of high-stake lawsuits between the two companies began in April 2011 when Apple accused its South Korean rival of copying the iPhone. Samsung, the maker of Galaxy phones, responded by accusing Apple of using some of its technology without permission. The disputes then spread to a dozen countries in Asia, North America and Europe.
Despite the easing of tensions outside the US, the court battles are far from over. "The agreement, however, is not related to a patent licensing deal...and the patent lawsuit in the US will continue," the statement said.
Neither company has made major gains in court and a number of judges have urged the two giants to settle their differences out of court.
hc/lw (AFP, AP, dpa)