Adobe Systems Files Lawsuit Against Macromedia for Patent Infringement

SAN JOSE, CA --(Aug. 10, 2000)-- Adobe Systems Incorporated announced it has filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Delaware against Macromedia, Inc. for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,546,528. This covers Adobe's tabbed palette patent, which is Adobe's method of displaying and working with multiple sets of information in the same area of the computer screen. The patented invention allows users to customize how the functions in the product are organized on the workspace.

"We are taking this action now, after notifying Macromedia on several occasions that its products are infringing our patent. The remedy sought is straightforward -- we ask them to stop infringing our patents," said Bruce Chizen, Adobe's president. "Adobe will not be the R&D department for its competitors. Our patent and other aspects of our user interface are key to the user experience and functionality of our products; they are essential to differentiate our products and brand from others."

"Adobe will aggressively enforce its patent portfolio and protect the interests of its stockholders," said Colleen Pouliot, Adobe's senior vice president and general counsel. "To be fair, competition has to be based on a level playing field -- companies must compete on the basis of innovation and according to the laws of the land. All we ask is that Macromedia play by these rules and stop infringing our patent."

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com) builds award-winning software solutions for Web and print publishing. Its graphic design, imaging, dynamic media, and authoring tools enable customers to create, publish and deliver visually rich content for various types of media. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Adobe is the third largest PC software company in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.

SOURCE Adobe Systems Incorporated

CO: Adobe Systems Incorporated; Macromedia, Inc.