Samsung, Apple may be near reconciliation

Samsung Electronics and Apple may enter a comprehensive cross-licensing deal this year, sources told The Korea Times, Thursday.

The first trial on the Samsung-Apple patent dispute in the United States is slated for July 30.

Samsung is asking Apple to pay a 2.4 percent royalty rate for the iPhone and iPad devices using technology it has patented. But Apple argues that such a fee is “too much’’ considering Samsung’s earlier commitment for FRAND practices they said. FRAND stands for fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory.

“Once again, this fight is a matter of pride. Conditions are being prepared for Samsung and Apple to call for peace,” a source said.

Apple is demanding that Samsung’s infringement resulted in the direct loss of $500 million in profits and $25 million in “reasonable royalty damages.’’

Apple also insists Samsung was “unjustly enriched’’ by its patent violations and should therefore pay Apple $2.525 billion in total, according to Florian Mueller, a German-based patent expert, who’s been following the Samsung-Apple case.

Samsung has scored two “meaningful victories” in Britain.

“Because the Eurozone is sharing design patents, the latest rulings in the United Kingdom are good,” another industry executive said.

Apple, whose i-devices use Samsung displays, mobile application processors, DRAMs and NAND flash chips, is seen to be increasing its buying of Samsung components to $11 billion this year from last year’s $7.8 billion, Samsung officials said.

“Samsung needs a new momentum for further corporate expansion. The so-called Apple effect’ has so far been successful. But the company needs to implement its ‘Plan B,’’’ said Kim Sang-min, a Seoul-based lawyer who has experience in dealing with corporate patents issues.

“It’s not easy for Apple to suddenly change its parts procurement channels to Taiwanese and Japanese companies as Samsung parts are very price competitive and trustworthy,’’ said Kim, adding that Apple CEO Tim Cook hopes to end the fight.

Neither Samsung nor Apple can claim a major victory so far.

Meanwhile, Samsung Chief Executive Officer Kwon Oh-hyun, is expected to answer questions about the Samsung-Apple case.

Samsung Electronics spokesman Cho Yong-woo declined to confirm whether the new Kwon, appointed last month, will attend the upcoming tech fair. <The Korea Times/Kim Yoo-chul>

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