On Thursday, U.S. Judge Paul S. Grewal ruled that both Apple and Samsung may add additional products to the smartphone lawsuit scheduled to begin hearings in 2014. These products include the iPhone 5, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy S III. The suit is being fought in the U.S. District Court of California in San Jose, the same court where Apple was awarded a $1.05 billion damage verdict against Samsung.
After the release of the iPhone 5 in September, Samsung sought to add it to the patent suit. At the same time, Apple also looked to add the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy S III and the Jelly Bean operating system. Both company’s have “accused each other of copying designs and technology for mobile devices.”
Reuters reports that the Judge’s order notes that Samsung was allowed to add the iPhone 5 to the case because they acted with “reasonable diligence” in asking the court. While not filed for addition yet, it’s expected that Samsung will add other recently released Apple products to the lawsuit, including the iPad 4 and iPad mini. While Apple didn’t oppose the addition of the iPhone 5, Judge Grewal did warn Apple to “think twice before opposing similar amendments reflecting other newly released products – e.g. the iPad 4 and iPad mini – that Samsung may propose in the near future.”
JK Shin, the head of Samsung’s mobile unit, has said that Samsung has no intention of either negotiating or settling the patent dispute with Apple, reports PC World. It’s not really surprising considering there’s a lot more at stake than the $1.05 billion dollar award handed to Apple last summer.
Just when we thought we would never have to write about one of these lawsuits again, Samsung and Apple sneak in a left hook. Jerks.