Web graphics and publishing software rivals Adobe and Macromedia
jointly announced yesterday that they have reached a settlement
agreement on all litigation between them. The terms of the
settlement are being kept confidential. The two companies claim,
however, that customers with products from either Adobe or
Macromedia will not be affected.
The two companies have a history of patent disputes. In the
latest dispute, Adobe claimed that Macromedia’s Flash web animation
tool infringed two of its patents for tabbed palettes. The tabbed
palettes provide an Adobe interface that allows users to display
and customise multiple layers of image data on the same screen,
while working on design.
Macromedia, meanwhile, counter-sued Adobe for infringing two of
its patents for editing tools, claiming that they were infringed by
Adobe’s Photoshop image editing software and GoLive design
software.
In May this year, Adobe won its lawsuit against Macromedia in
the US District Court of Delaware and was awarded $2.8 million in
damages. However, eight days later, Macromedia won its counter
claim against Adobe in the same court and was awarded $4.9 million
damages. Macromedia then filed a second countersuit, which was
scheduled for trial in June 2003.
Yesterday’s agreement between the two companies settles all
claims in this series of patent suits.
