Palm, Xerox Finally Settle Graffiti Lawsuit

According to Brighthand Palm, Inc. has settled a patent infringement lawsuit that was filed against it by Xerox nine years ago.

In April 1997, Xerox sued a predecessor to Palm, claiming that the Graffiti text-entry system formerly used in Palm OS handhelds infringed on a Xerox patent for a similar system, known as Unistrokes.

To stay ‘legal’ Palm switched to Graffiti 2, a text-entry system that was different enough that it did not infringe on Xerox’s patent.

Nevertheless, Palm agreed today to pay Xerox $22.5 million for a fully paid-up license for three Xerox patents, including Unistrokes.

I never liked Graffiti 2 and found a work-around that let me move the Graffiti system from my old Palm Visor to my new Palm T3. Graffiti 2 had too many letters that required 2 keystrokes which not only slowed things down, it also caused problems with programs.

Technically, Palm could now include both systems in their new PDAs. They have said they do not plan on giving up Graffiti 2. I hope that was just a posturing position they took cause any new Palm I buy must be able to use the original Graffiti.