Patent Talks Between Apple and Samsung Chief Executives Yield Little Progress

Earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook met with his counterpart from Samsung, Choi Gee-sung, as part of court-mediated talks seeking to find common ground in the ongoing patent battles between the two companies. Unsurprisingly, the talks seems to have been relatively unproductive, with the U.S. case underway in California all but certain to proceed to trial.

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Apple has been silent on the talks, but The Korea Times reports on comments from Samsung officials indicating that no agreement was forthcoming.

The two technology giants could find no clear agreement through the talks, according to a Samsung official. Apple Korea declined to comment on the matter.

The patent battle is now headed for trial on June 27, despite both firm’s stated wish to avoid legal proceedings.

According to foreign media outlets, both technology giants held firm on their assertions: Samsung continued to demand Apple pay royalties for using its wireless transmission technology and Apple insisted that Samsung copied its design in various products.

The Korea Herald reports that Samsung's contingent will be returning to Korea on Friday, and with Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee also returning from a three-week business trip to Europe, the company's top executives will almost certainly meet to discuss the talks. It appears, however, that there is little chance of Apple and Samsung budge from their positions sufficiently to prevent a trial from taking place.

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Top Rated Comments

ristlin Avatar
176 months ago
"Stop copying us," - Apple

"I'm sorry this meeting is over," - Samsung
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Consultant Avatar
176 months ago
Let's see...

Samsung: I'll let you use our FRAND patents if you let me copy the iPhone.

Apple: we'll pay you for FRAND patents at FRAND rates. Stop copying the iPhone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimbo1mcm Avatar
176 months ago
Here it is in a nutshell:

Apple doesn't manufacture anything. They design and hire someone to build it.
Samsung manufactures everything. They don't design, they copy from everyone.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dba7dba Avatar
176 months ago
Apple's legal team could always remind them that we saved their ass back in the 50s and they need look no further than a few miles north for the alternative. :D
I didn't know Apple Corporation was around or that they had an army to send.

Now if you must bring up the Korean War, I must remind you S Korea sent 320,000 combat troops over roughly 10 year period to help US in the Vietnam conflict.

I'm pretty sure no other nation sent as many combat troops to help out US in post WW2 era.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bilbo63 Avatar
176 months ago
Yet another failure by Tim Cook. This guy better shape up if he wants Apple to stay healthy. Being able to communicate effectively and persuade is part of this.
Another failure by Tim Cook? Seriously? What are his other fails? I don't for a minute expect the guy to be perfect, but neither was Steve (hockey puck mouse). As a matter of fact Steve tried (unsuccessfully I might add) to negotiate a settlement with Samesung to avoid a court battle as well.

So your point would be... ???

As far as communicating effectively goes, how do you know that he does not? Do you communicate and negotiate with Tim?

Tim is doing a good job. Sometimes people just cannot be persuaded.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rei101 Avatar
176 months ago
If those CEO were paying the lawyers from their own pockets, and agreement would have happen in no time.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)