Adobe sues rival over palettes

Web publishing software vendor Adobe Systems has accused rival Macromedia of patent infringement.

At issue are the tabbed palettes found in both companies' graphic design and web publishing software. Adobe claims that its patent covers a method of displaying and working with multiple sets of information in the same area of a computer screen.

In a lawsuit, Adobe alleges that Macromedia is, "touting its new Macromedia user interface (UI) as a selling point for forthcoming releases across its entire product line and only an injunction will prevent Macromedia from promulgating its new UI, including tabbed palettes, from infringing Adobe's patent."

Bruce Chizen, Adobe president, said: "Adobe will not be the research and development department for its competitors."

According to Chizen Adobe had notified Macromedia on several occasions that its products allegedly infringe the patent and said Adobe's intellectual property other aspects of the company's user interface are key to the user experience and functionality of its products.

Adobe's web design tools including Photoshop, ImageReady and GoLive compete with Macromedia's Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Flash and other product lines.

Adobe said it first warned Macromedia of patent violation in 1996 when its rival used tabbed palettes in Fireworks, a design tool for web graphics.

Macromedia officials denied the allegations. In a prepared statement Macromedia executives said: "We believe that their patent was invalid and unenforceable because it was attained by not disclosing relevant prior art."

Macromedia said it advised Adobe of its position when it first contacted the company in 1996 and again during its last discussion with its competitor in May 1999.