A US judge hearing the patent infringement trial between Apple and Samsung Electronics asked both the firms’ chief executives to talk to each other for truce, before the trial begins next week.
US District Court Judge Lucy Koh has asked the heads of both the companies to speak each other on the phone saying, "It’s time for peace."
"I see risk here for both sides; I think it’s at least worth one more chance," Koh said.
The legal battle between the two companies began in April 2011 when Apple accused Samsung of copying key design elements in smartphones and tablets.
Under the US trial, which is now in its third week, Samsung may face a potential ban of its Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the US.
Apple is seeking damages of $2.5bn in the trial while Samsung is seeking 2.4% for each iPhone sold in the US.
Both companies’ top executives had participated in mediation with a US magistrate judge several times.
The nine-member jury is scheduled to begin deliberations next week.
Since April 2011, both the companies filed about 30 lawsuits against each other in at least 12 courts, nine countries, and four continents which involve smartphone and tablet patents.
Apple has already won several lawsuits against Samsung as the sale of Samsung tablets are banned in Germany and its three latest Galaxy smartphone models are banned in the Netherlands.
