The Apple-Motorola patent lawsuit witnessed an unexpected turn on Thursday, when Judge Richard A. Posner of the Northern District of Illinois coming up with a rather surprising decision of granting a next week - June 20 - hearing, which will give both the companies a chance to put forth their arguments for an injunction order.

At the hearing, the judge will ascertain whether Apple is entitled to injunctive relief for patent infringement by Google's Motorola division; and also if it would be possible for Motorola to seek similar relief for one single instance of patent violation by Apple.

Judge Posner's decision to grant an injunction hearing came as a surprise because he had, last week, called off the upcoming jury trial for this particular Apple-Motorola patent lawsuit, ruling that neither Apple nor Motorola would be entitled to damages - which would need to be decided by a jury.

In his latest one-page ruling, which was on the court's electronic docket on Thursday, Posner said that both the companies should be "prepared to address the possibility of substitution for an injunction of an equitable decree for a reasonable royalty going forward."

The judge also said that Apple and Motorola would be able to file briefs, and they would be heard in a courtroom at 10am on Wednesday, June 20; with the hearing essentially aimed at establishing the companies' right to prevent the other from continued use of their patents.