Apple and Google call patent war truce

For those managing to keep up with the growing complexity of patent lawsuits, a truce has been called; between warring rivals Apple and Google.

Relating to a host of lawsuits between the pair, the move ends a battle between the world’s biggest smartphone giants.

"Apple and Google have agreed to dismiss all the current lawsuits that exist directly between the two companies," the companies said in a joint statement.

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

Relating to Google’s Motorola unit suing Apple for patent infringement in 2010, and Apple’s subsequent countersue, the truce puts an end to around 20 lawsuits between the companies, fought across both the US and Germany.

According to a spokesperson for Cupertino, the deal doesn’t affect Apple’s long-standing dispute with Samsung, a dispute which has frequently seen Google’s name dragged through the courts given its ownership of the Android operating system.