Santa Clara-based Palm Inc. on Friday issued a statement outlining its intentions to appeal a ruling handed down yesterday in U.S. District Court. The court ruled that Xerox’s patent on handwriting technology was “valid and enforceable” and that Palm and 3Com had infringed the patent.
Palm contends that its Graffiti handwriting technology does not infringe on the Xerox patent and that they have “strong arguments to support its defense.”
Speaking for the company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Benhamou said, “Palm will defend itself vigorously and does not intend for this litigation to affect its business strategy or business model nor that of its licensees.”
Palm will have to either cease production of its handheld devices or license the technology from Xerox, Christina Clayton, Xerox general counsel, said in the Thursday statement.
If the court finds that Palm and 3Com, which are both separately liable, willfully infringed the patent, the court can triple the amount of damages due to Xerox, the company said.