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Samsung on the offensive

January 27, 2014

South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung has signed two important agreements with Sweden's Ericsson and Google from the US. The deals are meant to avoid costly patent-related litigation in the future.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Axif
Samsung Galaxy Note II
Image: AP

Samsung struck a deal with Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson Monday, burying the hatchet over long-running patent disputes.

The Swedes said the agreement boosted their fourth-quarter net income by an additional $512 million (374 million euros), with Samsung also due to come up with royalty payments under a new multi-year license agreement covering patents used in wireless and consumer electronics products. More precise terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to the settlement, both companies were to drop complaints made against each other before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Two out of three

Having the same objective of reducing the risk of costly litigation in mind, Samsung also inked an agreement with Google, involving the cross-licensing of their patents.

Samsung Q4 operating profit falls nearly 20%

Samsung said Monday the accord covered patents to be filed over the next 10 years as well as existing ones. Market experts assumed the deal would also pave the way for deeper cooperation in research and development, with the two companies already working together on smartphones and televisions.

Samsung is also embroiled in legal fights with Apple. The CEOs of both firms are scheduled to meet in February to look into ways of reaching an out-of-court settlement.

hg/rc (AP, dpa)