In Patent War, Apple and Samsung to Try Mediation Before March Court Date
Next month, CEOs from both companies will sit down to discuss "settlement opportunities" to try and resolve the ongoing patent disputes.
By Benjamin Kabin •
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Looking to possibly put an end to the ongoing smartphone patent war, Samsung and Apple have agreed to mediation before their next court date in March.
The only people attending the meeting will be Apple CEO Tim Cook, Samsung CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon and their own respective in-house counsel. The companies have agreed to meet no later than Feb. 19. Attorneys from Samsung and Apple met earlier this month to "discuss settlement opportunities," according to court filings reviewed by Reuters.
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If mediation fails, the technology rivals will face each other in court over Apple's accusations that Samsung committed patent infringement.
Since Apple began litigating against Samsung in 2011 the companies have gone to court twice, with Apple being awarded $930 million.
Even outside of the courtroom, Apple seems to be winning on almost every front, including phone and App Store sales. This week Apple announced that users spent more than $10 billion on apps in 2013. Meanwhile Samsung posted a slight drop in profits this week for the first time in more than two years.
