Apple, Google Finally Reach Agreement Over Smartphone Patent Dispute

Finally some respite for both Apple and Google over their never-ending patent disputes. According to reports, Apple Inc and Google Inc's Motorola Mobility unit have now agreed on settling all patent litigations between them over smartphones.

Ending what's actually one of the highest-profile lawsuits in technology, in a joint statement on Friday, the companies said the new settlement, however, does not include a cross license to their respective patents.

"Apple and Google have also agreed to work together in some areas of patent reform," the statement said.

following the new decision, Google and Apple informed a federal appeals court in Washington that their cases against each other should be dismissed, per the filings on Friday. Although, the deal does not apply to Apple's litigation against Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

"The cases were consolidated in a Chicago federal court. However, Judge Richard Posner dismissed it in 2012 shortly before trial, saying neither company had sufficient evidence to prove its case," a Reuters reports states.

"Last month, the appeals court gave the iPhone manufacturer another chance to win a sales ban against Motorola."

Previous to this, Apple and other companies that make phones using Google's Android software have filed dozens of such lawsuits against one another around the world to keep a tab on their technology. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has also called Android a "stolen product."