Apple and Samsung Agree to End Non-U.S. Patent Disputes - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple and Samsung Agree to End Non-U.S. Patent Disputes

Apple and Samsung have issued a joint statement today announcing an agreement to drop all patent lawsuits against each other outside of the United States, according to Bloomberg.

apple_samsung_logos

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the companies said in the statement. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”

The move is yet another signal that the long-running patent dispute between Apple and Samsung may be winding down, as it was reported in June that the two companies were trying to find "common ground". The two also agreed to drop their cross-appeal rulings on the ITC ban of older Samsung phones around the same time.

In May, it was reported the two were looking to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. And earlier this year, it was reported that Tim Cook sat down with Samsung Electronics CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon in a mediation session. However, the two sides did not come to an agreement at that time.

Apple has already settled patent disputes with other companies, like Google / Motorola Mobility in May of this year and HTC back in 2012.

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
Since 2023, Apple's newer iPhones have had an 80 percent charge limit for those who want to extend battery lifespan. Charging to 80 percent instead of 100 percent is supposed to put less stress on the battery, improving longevity. For the last three years, I've used that setting on my iPhone. I started with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, then did the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most recently, the iPhone...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature

Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update

Monday October 5, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
For the first time since February 2023, Apple has released a firmware update for the MagSafe 3 charging cable for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Specifically, Apple last week released firmware version 3.2.0 for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. The previous firmware version for the cable was 3.1.12. It is unclear what is included in the latest firmware, as Apple does not publish release...
Prime Big Deal Days 25 Red and Green

Amazon Launches Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...

Top Rated Comments

159 months ago
More like

Apple: let's stop the suits
Samsung : I agree
Apple : great!
Samsung : now can you stop copying us?
Apple: I guess

Me: Are you trying to be funny?
You: I guess, but I'm failing miserably, eh?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
koruki Avatar
159 months ago
So will Samsung be pulling the Alpha which looks really inspired by the iPhone 5?

http://www.dailytech.com/Samsung+Galaxy+Alpha+Specs+Leaked+Compared+to+Apple+iPhone+5S+in+Pictures/article36346.htm

Negotiations probably went like this.

Apple: lets stop the suits
Samsung: Okay
Apple: So can you stop copying us from today onward at least?
Samsung: No, we just finished getting the iPhone 5 copy ready though. How about next year?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ZacNicholson Avatar
159 months ago
IF they can do this, then there can be peace in the middle east!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent OrangeZ Avatar
159 months ago
Steve would have never allowed this... (FOR REAL!)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
springsup Avatar
159 months ago
Shame Apple couldnt stop them :(
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
159 months ago
Are you serious? A chamfered edge? I despise this company.
And whole lot more. Typical strawman, pick one element, point out it's not a big deal (previous example: rounded corners). This would be true if it were the only design element copied, but it isn't. You're just ignoring all the other similar elements that when combined, result in a remarkably similar device.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
15 minutes ago
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
25 minutes ago
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
51 minutes ago
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
3 hours ago
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
3 hours ago
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
4 hours ago
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
15 hours ago
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
15 hours ago
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
17 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
19 hours ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
19 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
20 hours ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
20 hours ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
20 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
21 hours ago
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
22 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
23 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
23 hours ago
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
23 hours ago
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
23 hours ago
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
1 day ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
33 minutes ago
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
1 day ago
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
1 day ago
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
1 day ago
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
7 hours ago
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
1 day ago
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
1 day ago
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
1 day ago
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
2 days ago