Reuters
Thursday, March 15, 2001

Computer system maker NCR is suing Palm and Handspring, alleging their handheld computers infringe on two NCR-owned core patents.

In papers filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Delaware, NCR says, "Palm and Handspring knew about the NCR patents, [but] chose not to seek licenses from NCR." The technology allows retail and consumer users access to and the ability to manage "substantial" amounts of information.

The lawsuit cites two products, the Palm Pilot and Handspring Visor, as allegedly infringing devices that have had "tremendous commercial success."

The patents at issue, both granted in 1987, are for a "Portable personal terminal for use in a system for handling transactions" and for a "System for handling transactions including a portable personal terminal."

NCR is asking for a jury trial on its demands that Palm and Handspring be blocked from making any more of the products, and that NCR be awarded compensatory and actual damages.


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