Apple and Samsung have agreed to end all patent disputes outside of the US, in a move which affects court battles in eight countries.

In calling somewhat of a truce to one of the industry’s biggest rivalries, both companies were quick to remind that the high-profile US copyright case will still continue unchanged.

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States," the companies said in a joint statement.

"This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts."

In terms of the affected countries, both parties will drop cases in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Holland, the UK and Samsung’s headquartered country Korea also.

According to CNET, Brian Love, assistant professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, says at this point it's hard to say whether this is the beginning of the end, or a mutual decision on the part of Apple and Samsung to focus their energy even more intently on US litigation, which was always the highest stakes between them.