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Top execs from Apple, Samsung meeting to discuss patent suit

The "highest level" of executives from Apple and Samsung have been meeting to discuss their legal dispute, a hearing for the case revealed on Friday.

Apple attorney Harold McElhinny made the disclosure in response to questioning from U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh at Friday's hearing, Reuters reports.

"Can't we all just get along here?" Koh asked, suggesting the companies resolve the case outside of court. "I will send you with box of chocolates, whatever," she added.

McElhinny replied that the case has drawn the attention of executives "at the highest levels" of the two companies. "Can we get them together?" Koh asked. "They are in fact meeting and talking," McElhinny said.

In April, Apple sued Samsung alleging blatant copying of Apple's technology, interface and style. The Korean electronics giant quickly responded with a countersuit accusing Apple of infringing on data transmission-related technologies.

Last month, a judge granted Apple's request to see samples of Samsung's unreleased tablets and smartphones that have been accused of infringement. Samsung fired back with a similar motion asking to see "final, commercial versions" of Apple next-generation iPhone and iPad.

However, Apple characterized Samsung's filing as harassment in a countermotion earlier this week." The iPhone maker alleged that "the copyist" shouldn't need to see any of its products since Apple is the plaintiff. Apple referred to itself as "one of the most secretive" companies in the world, describing its new product announcement events as "major events in the technology industry."

Late Thursday night, Apple added a dozen of Samsung's products, including the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Nexus S 4G, to the suit, noting that the company has been "even bolder" than other competitors in "blatantly imitating" the iPhone and the iPad.