US judge urges Apple, Samsung to settle patent dispute before verdict

California, Aug 16 (ANI): An American judge presiding over an intellectual property dispute between Apple and Samsung Electronics has urged the chief executives of the tech firms to speak to each other at least once on the phone before the jury begins its deliberations.

"It's time for peace," US District Judge Lucy Koh said in a San Jose, California, federal court.

Apple has accused Samsung of copying the design and some features of its iPad and iPhone, and is asking for a sales ban in addition to monetary damages.

While the South Korean mobile maker, Samsung, claims Apple infringed several patents, including some for its key wireless technology.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Koh told attorneys for the companies that they had succeeded in raising awareness about the importance of their intellectual property rights.

Top executives from both companies had participated in mediation with a US magistrate judge several times.

They remained far apart shortly before trial on how they viewed the value of each other's patents.

According to the report, Koh asked them to explore settlement once again.

Attorneys for both companies told Koh they would pass along the message. (ANI)