A federal court judge in Australia has referred Samsung Electronics and Apple to settle their year-long patent dispute in mediation, calling the quarrel “ridiculous.”

Australian Federal Court Justice Annabelle Bennett said on Monday that she expects a response from both companies by the end of the week.

The legal battle began in Australia after Apple sued Samsung last summer for copying its smartphone and tablet PC designs. Samsung responded by filing a countersuit against Apple, claiming that the U.S. IT giant infringed on its patented 3G wireless transmission technology.

The Australian trial has become a focal point, since it is considered a prelude to another patent dispute between the two companies in the U.S., which will begin late this month.