Apple, Samsung Drop Foreign Patent Suits, But U.S. Litigation Will Continue

Apple and Samsung Electronics announced they were dropping patent litigation in Germany, Australia and Japan, but would continue litigation within the United States. The two tech giants have been engaged in some of the world’s most high-profile patent litigation over the last few years, and industry experts suggested the partial truce reflects a cooling off. In 2011 Apple accused Samsung of copying some iPhone features, and Samsung shot back, filing lawsuits in seven countries. The companies clarified they have not agreed to license technologies from each other, and they do not plan to stop the ongoing U.S. lawsuits, including the appeal of a patent suit that saddled Samsung with $930 million in damages.