The pair are already closely linked due to Samsung's adoption of Google's Android operating system, and the agreement covers what Samsung called "a broad range of technologies and business areas".
All existing patents and those filed in the next ten years will be affected by the "mutually beneficial" deal.
Allen Lo, Deputy General Counsel for Patents at Google said: "We're pleased to enter into a cross-license with our partner Samsung. By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation."
Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung's Intellectual Property Centre added: "This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry.
"Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes."
Apple and Samsung have been engaged in a series of ongoing lawsuits regarding the design of smartphones and tablets for the past three years.
Apple's Tim Cook and Samsung's Oh-Hyun Kwon will attend a private mediation with in-house lawyers by or before February 19, according to a joint court filing, ahead of a US court hearing in March. The two companies' legal teams have already met to "discuss settlement opportunities".
Source: Telegraph UK
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