Judge to Samsung, Apple: try talking to each other

I am of the opinion that Samsung and Apple should hug it out and it seems the judge presiding over the case agrees. It’s a bit of a tiresome dance really, Apple is claiming that Samsung copied its mobile products (specifically the iPhone and iPad) and Samsung is countering with the defense that it didn’t.

According to a Reuters report U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh told the two companies to talk about a settlement over the phone “at least once” this weekend, before the case reaches the jury next week. “It’s time for peace,” said the judge during the case in San Jose, California. Koh also said that she could see “risks here for both sides,” if the case comes down to a jury. Hear that Samsapple? I would say take the judge’s advice here.

This is not the first time the two companies have been ordered to have conversation rather than slug it out in court. Just last month the heads of both companies were ordered to a meet a great refereed by Judge Koh, herself.

The patent dispute, which started a few weeks ago, has produced some interesting information about Samsung’s internal memos regarding Apple products. The most damning was a batch of emails that revealed that Google told Samsung executives they should redesign its early tablet because it was too close to Apple’s iPad.

Currently both Apple and Samsung are requesting damages and/or sales bans of the other company’s mobile tech due to possible infringement on respective intellectual property.

Samsung and Apple also do business with each other. Apple is one of Samsung’s largest customers for components for the iPhone and iPad. Their courtroom dances will have to end soon or it might impact badly on their business relations.