Samsung Electronics expressed Thursday its condolences over the death of Steve Jobs, describing the late Apple founder as a great entrepreneur.

"Chairman Steve Jobs introduced numerous revolutionary changes to the information technology industry and was a great entrepreneur," Choi Gee-sung, the chief executive and vice chairman of Samsung Electronics said in a statement. "His innovative spirits and remarkable accomplishments will forever be remembered by people around the world."

The South Korean firm has been involved in patent battle with Apple in 10 countries around the world. The battle began in April when the Cupertino-based firm sued Samsung in the United States, claiming that the Galaxy devices copied the iPhone and iPad. Samsung asked French and Italian courts to ban sales of Apple's iPhone 4S, alleging that the new iPhone violated three mobile patents related to wireless telecommunications technology.

Jobs passed away earlier on Thursday at the age of 56 after years of battle against pancreatic cancer.