Samsung and Apple resume talks over patent royalties

Samsung and Apple have reportedly resumed talks in order to resolve disputes over patent-infringement claims, and also to yet again try to reach an amicable cross-licensing deal, after talks over settlements back in July last year failed to cough up any results. “As far as I know, the companies recently resumed working-level discussions toward the signing of a potential deal. They are in the process of narrowing differences over royalty payments,” said an official at the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

According to The Korea Times, Samsung still prefers to sign a comprehensive “cross-licensing” deal, allowing the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer to access all Apple’s design-related, some standard-essential and commercial patents; while Apple is asking Samsung to pay over $30 per device for Samsung’s patent violations, which Samsung thinks is “too much,” said another Samsung official who is familiar with the issue. Whether a respectable middle-ground is agreed upon by both tech giants is something that remains to be seen, though it's good to see talks are at least ongoing at the moment.

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