Google, Samsung Execs Will Meet to Discuss Apple Patent Battles

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and Samsung mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun plan to meet Thursday in Seoul, presumably to discuss strategy related to the ongoing patent battles with Apple. In August, Apple won a major verdict against Samsung, and it has recently asked the U.S. court to increase the damage award. Samsung’s popular Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets runs Google’s Android operating system.

The Korea Times first broke the story. “I will meet Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt on Thursday in Seoul,” Samsung’s Shin told the paper. The article also noted, “Samsung has already been in talks for the development of modified products aimed at escaping from Apple’s design-related patents.”

Cnet’s Lance Whitney noted that Samsung remains optimistic despite the recent lawsuit verdict. He writes, “The company now expects to sell 400 million mobile phones this year, an upgrade from the 370 million previously forecast. Those numbers will certainly be aided by the flagship Galaxy S3, which could generate sales of 30 million or more by year’s end, according to Samsung.”

The Next Web reported that Eric Schmidt would also “help promote the launch of [Samsung’s] Nexus 7 tablet” while he is in South Korea.

Slashgear added, “Other Android OEMs, such as HTC, have apparently received more proactive support in recent platform-related litigation, and it’s possible that Samsung is hoping to spur Google into taking a more visible stance moving forward. Shin also revealed that Samsung will be holding ‘strategy meetings with major carriers’ in the US next week.”