Hold on. This is a settlement of a patent infringment lawsuit.

"Under the terms of the agreement, Traditions and Ardesa have agreed to a multi-year license agreement, allowing them to use certain Thompson/Center Arms muzzleloader rifle technology. In exchange, Smith & Wesson has agreed to dismiss all infringement claims asserted in the complaints. Further details and financial terms of the settlement are not being made available."

S&W/TC says:
"We look forward to working with Traditions to bring the highest quality and most advanced muzzleloading rifles to the market."

Ardesa/Traditions says:
"Traditions and Ardesa join with Thompson/Center Arms in looking forward to bringing the highest quality muzzleloading rifles to the market,"

Does this mean that they are going into business together or does it simply mean that they settled a lawsuit with Traditions paying T/C for the continued use of some of its designs/patents?

Answer: I don’t know. And neither do you!