As you already know very well, Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), si Samsung have opened dozens of lawsuits all over the world for alleged infringements of patents, and until now Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), won most of the disputes against the Koreans. Although the two companies tried to solve their problems amicably repeatedly, forced by American judges, for the time being they could not reach a consensus. Even so, representatives of both companies they seem to have started again a mediation process meant to bring an end to all open processes around the globe, but it remains to be seen how successful they will be.
Samsung Electronics has resumed negotiations with Apple to resolve disputes over patent-infringement claims that have continued for more than two years, sources said Sunday. The official said the FTC has teamed up with anti-trust regulators in Europe and the United States to discuss the matter. A Samsung source said its mobile boss, Shin Jong-kyun, may fly to the US for another round of top-level talks with the Apple CEO sometime early next year in hopes of reaching an agreement.
Representatives of intellectual property protection agencies based in the US, Europe and Asia are involved in the mediation process, and the CEO of Samsung's mobile division is planning a possible visit to the US to talk with Tim Cook. Practically, now the representatives of the company are trying to reach an agreement regarding a possible reciprocal licensing of some invention patents and the payment of some license fees, the sums of money representing the main topic of discussion.
Considering that Samsung and Apple have been trying to solve this problem for years, it's hard to say if 2014 will be a "lucky" year, but anything is possible.
