Apple That

The Federal Judge who is overseeing the insane patent feud between Apple and Samsung has requested that the Chief Executives of both companies sit down and talk one more time to try and settle the case before it is handed over to a jury. Judge Lucy Koh recently warned lawyers for both parties that she “sees risks here for both sides” in handing the case to the jury, made up of nine individuals, which is set to begin deliberations next week.

Thankfully, the lawyers agreed that the CEOs of both companies would attempt to talk. However, outside lawyers and patent experts that have been following the case believe that an 11th hour breakthrough isn’t likely. According to intellectual property consultant Florian Mueller, “I don’t think this dispute is ripe for a settlement.” Mueller also says that both sides have too much stake in the case.

The case itself is in its third week of trial and has prompted disclosures about meetings between the companies in 2010, after Apple approached Samsung with concerns about patent infringement. Judge Koh requested a pretrial meeting back in May between CEO of Apple Tim Cook and CEO of Samsung Choi Gee-Sung, to which both parties complied.

Unfortunately, that meeting, along with many other attempts, failed to result in a deal between the two companies. In addition to that, Judge Koh has been impatient with both sides and has suggested that both companies have already accomplished a lot by taking the trial this far, including raising awareness of their intellectual properties. According to Koh, “In many respects, it is mission accomplished and time for peace.”

To be honest, I agree with Judge Koh. I think this patent suit has gone on long enough and that the case can only end badly for both sides. The real question is which side will suffer the most. Samsung seems to be the one suffering the most at this very moment, though who knows what the jury will decide when they call out that final verdict.

Source: The Wall Street Journal – Samsung, Apple Urged to Talk