A U.S. Judge canceled a trial scheduled to start Monday in a patent dispute between Apple and Motorola Mobility saying that neither parties can prove damages. In a "tentative" order, U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Posner in Chicago on Thursday said each company's case should be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought up again.

The patent dispute between Google's Motorola Mobility and Apple was related to mobile phones and tablets. Apple alleged that Motorola's devices such as the Droid, and associated software infringed on its patents. Motorola brought a counterclaim that Apple was in infringement of its patents.

Judge Posner said in his order that he would delay entry of judgment until he had prepared a full opinion in about a week.