Patent use agreement

Samsung, the world's largest manufacturer of smartphones, and Google, owner of the Android operating system, have reached an agreement for mutual patent use over the next ten years. Although the Korean firm mainly sells mobile phones with the Android system, it also promotes the Tizen system, also open, in which other industry giants such as Intel participate, and which would allow them not to be so dependent on Google's software. Samsung, which launched the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 last year, planned a Tizen device as one of three new high-end smartphones to compete with Apple in the most profitable segment of the smartphone market; however, Tizen has been delayed time and again. Samsung's rise has also been accompanied by patent litigation with Apple that has spanned four continents. Apple is trying to force Samsung to change or stop selling some smartphones and tablets with which it directly competes, but the rulings in the lawsuits always arrive when those affected phones are already off the market. Although quietly and out of the spotlight, Apple and Samsung are having conversations to reach some kind of patent pact that stops the disputes in the courts.