Apple, Samsung Patent Lawsuit: Galaxy S3 Mini Dropped from Patent Infringement Trial After Samsung Confirms No Plans for US Launch

Despite the $1 billion verdict in favor of Apple Inc., the Cupertino-based company and Samsung continue to prolong the patent infringement lawsuit.

In the latest move by Apple, the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini has been dropped from the lawsuit.

In November, Apple and Samsung added devices to the growing list of electronics to get banned in the U.S., including the iPhone 5, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and the Galaxy S3 Mini, even though the latter device has not been sold in the U.S.

According to Reuters, Samsung has confirmed they will not offer the Galaxy S3 Mini to U.S. markets and therefore should not be included in the patent infringement lawsuit.

After Samsung's notice, Apple agreed to withdraw the Galaxy S3 Mini from the case, "so long as the current withdrawal will not prejudice Apple's ability later to accuse the Galaxy S III Mini if the factual circumstances change."

The news comes after a series of updates including one in December by U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh, read here for the latest hearing update.

Latinos Post has chronicled the ongoing saga of the Apple vs. Samsung patent infringement trial leading up to the before mentioned December hearing:

Part 1: Reviewing Apple's First Complaint & The August Billion Dollar Verdict

Part 2: The World Stage: How the Trial is Proceeding in Asia, Europe, and Oceania

Part 3: Impact with Other Tech Companies, from HTC, Motorola, and Ericsson

Part 4: Probable Retrial; Latest Developments in US Trial After the iPhone 5 Launch to Final 2012 Ruling.