Zenimax's federal lawsuit against Facebook and Oculus will proceed, thanks to a ruling by US District Judge Jorge Solis.

Solis denied motions to dismiss from the two defendant companies and Palmer Luckey, meaning the suit - filed in May - will go before a jury.

Seemingly ripped out of HBO's Silicon Valley, the case centres on the notion that Oculus used trade secrets and IP from Zenimax, including R&D brought over when Oculus hired Zenimax-owned Id Software's John Carmack as chief technology officer.

"It was only through the concerted efforts of Carmack, using technology developed over many years at, and owned by, ZeniMax, that Luckey was able to transform his garage-based pipe dream into a working reality," read Zenimax's lawyers' initial letter.

Oculus' twofold response involved denying the allegations of theft and claiming Zenimax was looking for "a quick payout" in the wake of the VR developer's acquisition by Facebook.

"ZeniMax's Complaint falsely claims ownership in Oculus VR technology in a transparent attempt to take advantage of the Oculus VR sale to Facebook," said the company at the time.

Zenimax and Oculus have a complicated history with each other not limited to the hiring of Carmack, involving a non-disclosure agreement signed by Luckey and a failed Zenimax bid for an equity stake in Oculus that led to the cancellation of VR support in Doom 3: BFG Edition.

Both parties in the disagreement have accused each other of misstating or obscuring the truth, which is central to Judge Solis' ruling.

Questions of fact must be settled in a court of law, while questions of law, which made up Oculus' failed motion, can be grounds for dismissal.

The case now has a discovery deadline of February 2016, with a preliminary jury trial date of August 1, 2016.