Apple and Samsung Settle Epic Patent Infringement Battle

An epic legal battle between smartphone titans is finally over. Apple and Samsung have settled their seven-year patent dispute over Apple’s allegations that Samsung copied the iPhone’s design and software, reports CNN. Terms were not available, but according to the Wall Street Journal, the companies filed a notice in California federal court that they had agreed to settle the case. Apple was awarded $539 million in May by a US jury; prior to the award, Samsung had already paid Apple $399 million, so Samsung had an outstanding payment of $140 million, according to Reuters. It was unclear how this week’s ruling would affect that settlement.

The battle between the world’s two largest smartphone makers has already cost both companies hundreds of millions in legal fees. In 2012, Samsung was ordered to pay Apple more than $1 billion for iPhone and iPad patent infringement, but that penalty was later reduced to $450 million by a federal judge. Apple declined to comment on the agreement, but an Apple rep referred CNN to a company statement released last month that said, "Apple ignited the smartphone revolution with iPhone and it is a fact that Samsung blatantly copied our design. It is important that we continue to protect the hard work and innovation of so many people at Apple." (More Apple stories.)