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.

apple samsung logos
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.

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
Cyber Monday Deals 2025

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Now that Black Friday is in the rearview mirror, Cyber Monday discounts have begun appearing online, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may ...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple...

Top Rated Comments

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

"I'm sorry this meeting is over," - Samsung
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Consultant Avatar
177 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
177 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
177 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
177 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
177 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)