Apple and Samsung have been fighting over the designs and functionality of their smartphones and tablets since 2011. For the companies, the long-running battle was about more than money. Apple company accused Samsung for copying its design. It is said that Apple received hundreds of millions of dollars from Samsung, but it never succeeded in taking Samsung products off the market. And since the first suit was filed, the market share for Android, the software powering Samsung's phones, has soared.
The two companies settled their international lawsuits in 2014 but have been battling in US courts

"We believe deeply in the value of design, and our teams work tirelessly to create innovative products that delight our customers," the company said. "This case has always been about more than money. Apple ignited the smartphone revolution with iPhone and it is a fact that Samsung blatantly copied our design. It is important that we continue to protect the hard work and innovation of so many people at Apple."
Samsung declined to comment.

By reaching a settlement, Apple and Samsung are putting the case behind them instead of going through more rounds of appeals. For now design patents are likely to be seen as a powerful threat against rivals.