Judge: Samsung gets to view Apple-HTC settlement details

From CNET News.com: Samsung will be privy to some details of a confidential settlement agreement between Apple and HTC, a California judge ruled today.

Samsung's lawyers were given the go-ahead to view confidential details of the agreement that made peace between Apple and HTC earlier this month, following an impromptu hearing ordered by Magistrate Judge Singh Grewal this morning.

That deal, announced November 10, put an end to all litigation between the two companies. Many expect the same thing to eventually happen between Apple and Samsung, but recent comments made by officials of the South Korean technology giant suggest even talks about a deal are out of the question.

Samsung made its request for Apple to provide a copy of its patent license agreement with HTC last week. Samsung specifically said it wanted to see which patents were included as part of the agreement since there may be some overlap with the ones used in the case between it and Apple. That includes the '381 and '915 patents, which cover "bounce back" and scrolling and zooming, respectively.

"This license has direct bearing on the question of irreparable harm and whether monetary remedies are adequate," one of Samsung's lawyers wrote in the group's request.

In a filing yesterday, Apple said it and HTC were willing to provide the agreement to Samsung's lawyers. That was with the caveat that it was only released to the attorneys, and with numerous details -- including royalty rates -- redacted.

View: Article @ Source Site