It appears that the long running dispute between tech giants Samsung and Apple may finally be coming to an end.
Samsung have agreed to pay Apple $548m, going some way to settle a four year court battle with regards a patent dispute.
In 2011 Apple claimed that Samsung was using some of its patented technologies without permission. A lengthy court battle ensued. In 2012 Apple was granted $1bn by a US jury. This amount was subsequently reduced to $930m after an appeal by Samsung. Of the amount awarded, $548m is for technology patents and the remainder $382m is for packaging materials- both of which Apple claim Samsung has copied.
There is set to be a further trial in 2016, in which a jury will decide upon the exact details of the $382m award next year.
It has emerged that late last week, Samsung filed documents that indicate their willingness to pay Apple £548m. SamsungÂs intent to pay comes after the Court of Appeals recent denial of SamsungÂs request for review. The court documents filed by Samsung state that the company will pursue all means to ask for their money back if any part of the ruling is ultimately reversed or modified.
The statement from the Supreme Court states: ÂSamsung continues to reserve all rights to obtain reimbursement from Apple and/or payment by Apple of all amounts required to paid as taxes. Samsung further reserves all rights to reclaim or obtain reimbursement of any judgment amounts paid by Samsung to any entity in the event the partial judgment is reversed, modified, vacated or set aside on appeal or otherwise, including as a result of any proceedings before the USPTO addressing the patents at issue or as a result of any petition for writ of certiorari filed with the Supreme Court. Samsung notes that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board has issued a final decision of invalidity on the Â915 Patent and Apple filed a notice of appeal to the Federal Circuit in the USPTO last week.
But for now, as matters stand, Samsung have noted that it would be willing to pay Apple $548m as soon as 14 December 2015, provided that Apple sends them an invoice in a timely manner.
