Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) just can’t stop beating each other up, and once again the judge who hears many of their cases has urged them to settle everything once and for all. Judge Lucy Koh said almost a year ago that the two companies should strive for “global peace” in their patent wars, but so far, her requests have fallen on deaf ears. They continue to file lawsuits against each other in courtrooms around the globe.
Today Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung have faced off in Judge Koh’s courtroom again, this time over damages from a case which Samsung previously lost. It’s all about precisely how much Samsung should have to pay Apple for infringing upon its patents.
Judge wants Apple, Samsung CEOs to negotiate
Shara Tibken of CNET reports today that Judge Koh asked Apple and Samsung to go back to the negotiating table yet again before yet another patent trial begins between the two companies in March. She spoke today before the jury for the current damages retrial was chosen. She told attorneys for both companies that she wants to see them reach a settlement and that she would like to see the CEOs of both of them engage in the settlement negotiations.
“I ask that before March, there be one last, or additional, attempt to see if you can resolve these cases,” Judge Koh is quoted as saying by CNET.
A hint of talks ahead for Apple and Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930)’s and Apple’s attorneys both said they would have come up with a proposal for negotiations no later than Jan. 8. The judge agreed to that date but indicated disappointment that coming up with a proposal would take so long. In the patent trial which is expected to start in March, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is claiming that Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus and some of its other devices are infringing upon four of its patents.
Judge Koh urged attorneys for the two companies to settle “sooner rather than later.”
