The judge in the American Airlines bankruptcy case has granted Southlake-based Sabre Inc.'s request to continue in its lawsuit against the airline.

Fort Worth-based American and Sabre have been fighting in court for a year over global ticket distribution systems like Sabre's and how they compete with American's in-house ticket sales system.

Bankruptcy law imposes an automatic stay on legal actions against the debtor in the case.

After American's November filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Sabre filed for permission to pursue its counterclaims against American despite the bankruptcy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane ruled Dec. 23 that Sabre could continue with its legal action against American.