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Samsung Vs Apple: Bosses To Try Mediation

Samsung Vs Apple: Bosses To Try Mediation

The bosses of Apple and Samsung are to come face-to-face in court in an attempt to resolve their bitter legal war over smartphone patents.

The US company claims its South Korean rival has "slavishly" copied the iPhone and iPad in its products that run on Google's Android operating system.

Samsung is counter-suing, accusing Apple of infringing its patents.

The dispute over licences involves 20 cases in 10 countries, with both companies denying the other's allegations.

A federal judge has instructed Apple's Tim Cook and Samsung's Choi Gee-sung to attempt mediation in San Francisco, ahead of the much anticipated case due for trial in July.

Samsung's tablet and smartphone business, which include its Galaxy range of phones , is a major rival to Apple.

Samsung has a 30.6% share of the global smartphones market after selling 44.5 million handsets in the first quarter of this year. Apple sold 35.1 million iPhones, giving it a 24.1% share.

The head of Samsung's mobile division, JK Shin, said it is still seeking to resolve differences with Apple.

"There is still a big gap in the patent war with Apple but we still have several negotiation options including cross-licensing," he said.

Mr Cook became Apple's chief executive last year after taking over from the company's co-founder Steve Jobs.

Samsung has been led by Mr Choi since 2010, after more than three decades with the company.

US courts are increasingly calling on warring companies to attempt mediation, although success is far from guaranteed.

A settlement in this case could have wider implications as Apple is also locked in disputes with major smartphone makers HTC and Motorola.