Apple and Samsung are reportedly working on a settlement in regards to their ongoing patent infringement trial.
According to USA Today, the two tech companies are "quietly working" on a "wide-ranging settlement agreement" that could solve a number of mobile patent disputes.
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"While there is yet evidence that a deal is imminent, there are definite signs the two sides will eventually reach an agreement," wrote Mark Veverka for USA Today. "It is in their mutual interests to do so. So, it comes as little surprise that the two sides are trying to hammer out a deal."
The columnist noted a settlement would save Apple and Samsung hundreds of millions of dollars whilst allowing the companies on maintaining their leads in the smartphone market against BlackBerry, HTC, Nokia, and even China's Huawei.
"One thing is certain: Expect a settlement to be as thick as a phone book, which, ironically, is an anachronism thanks to the digital exploits of both companies," he added.
The report comes as the International Trade Commission's (ITC) ruling to ban Apple's iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPad 2 are expected to go in effect on Aug. 5. The ITC ruled imports of the three Apple devices are to be banned within the U.S. last month. President Barack Obama can veto the ruling but has transferred the decision to the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Meanwhile, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has set a new date to settle the ongoing Apple and Samsung patent infringement disputes. As Latinos Post reported, Apple lobbied the Court of Appeals to set Aug. 9 to hear both sides' cases on the Cupertino-based grounds to ban several Samsung devices. The date was set after U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh, who presided the patent infringement lawsuit last year in San Jose, Calif., refused to give Apple the injunction to ban specific Samsung devices.
"Apple argues that Judge Koh's decision can be reversed by a panel, but this argument is mostly based on the claim that a permanent injunction requires a different equitable analysis than a preliminary injunction," stated Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents.
For the latest on the Apple vs. Samsung patent infringement trial, click here.