Apple vs. Samsung Patent Infringement Trial: HTC Settlement Must Be Revealed By Apple, But Won't Be Open to the Public

The patent infringement trial is not exclusive to Apple and Samsung, as HTC is now involved in the case.

US Magistrate Judge Paul Grewal ordered on Wednesday that the financial licensing agreements for third parties in the patent infringement case are to be disclosed. The decision forces Apple to produce a copy of the agreement made with HTC.

However, it is not all bad news for Apple. The agreement will be "attorneys-eyes-only," and won't be open to the public, according to the Los Angeles Times.

According to Grewal, "HTC is not entitled to special treatment, especially when it has recognized the general sufficiency of the protective order and the integrity of Samsung's outside counsel."

The decision could be a slight victory for Samsung as it has stated that the licensing agreements are "highly relevant" in the patent infringement case which sees Apple trying to block US sales of Samsung smartphones.

The Apple and HTC relationship isn't smooth as both have been in a patent infringement battle as well with a settlement being made on Nov. 10 and that's when the 10-year licensing agreement was made.

The ruling comes on the same day Samsung made a filing to add the iPad Mini, iPad 4, and the iPod Touch 5G to the case.

"The iPod Touch 5, iPad 4, and iPad Mini have the same accused functionality as the versions of the iPod Touch and iPad that are already part of this case," stated Samsung in the Wednesday court filing. "As such, the proof of infringement of the patents-in-suit by the iPod Touch 5, iPad 4, and iPad Mini will be substantially the same as for other Apple devices already accused of infringement in this litigation, and there will be no impact on the parties' ongoing claim construction efforts."

The court case continues despite Apple winning the $1.05 billion verdict against Samsung in August on the patent-infringements. According to US District Judge Lucy H. Koh, she will consider Samsung's bid to change the verdict, or throw it out entirely, based on "allegations of juror misconduct."