Samsung in talks to settle EU antitrust case: sources
European Commission told Samsung in December it was acting unfairly by seeking court injunctions against Apple over the use of its patents
Samsung Electronics is in early talks with the EU regulator to settle charges that its use of injunctions against arch rival Apple breached antitrust rules, two people familiar with the matter said.
Samsung and Apple, the world’s top two smartphone makers by volume and sales, are embroiled in patent disputes in at least 10 countries as they vie to dominate the lucrative and fast-growing mobile market and win customers with their latest gadgets.
The talks came after the European Commission, which acts as EU competition regulator, told Samsung in December that it was acting unfairly by seeking court injunctions against Apple over the use of its patents.
“Samsung has been involved in settlement discussions for several months now. Samsung wants to settle,” said one of the sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The sources said it was still too early to say if the discussions would result in a settlement. That would mean no finding of wrongdoing for Samsung and no fine, which could otherwise reach as much as US$17.3 billion (HK$134.2 billion) if the South Korean firm is found to be in breach of EU laws.
Both the European Commission and Samsung declined to comment.