Judge tells Apple and Samsung CEOs to discuss settlement

The judge in the massive and ongoing legal battle between Apple and Samsung has told the CEOs of the two companies to seek a settlement, and warned that proceeding to a court verdict was risky for both firms.

Speaking in the San Jose federal court where the so-called 'patent trial of the century' is playing out in front of the world's media, US District Judge Lucy Koh instructed the companies' bosses to speak to one another at least once a week in order to explore a settlement.

"It's time for peace," she said.

The court case revolves around claims by Apple that Samsung achieved its present powerful position in the smartphone and tablet markets by violating iPad and iPhone design patents. Samsung has responded with claims of its own.

So far Apple and Samsung have seemed disinclined to settle, with the firms' claims for damages running into the billions of dollars.