PalmOne scores patent victory

PalmOne's ongoing patent-infringement case with NCR seems to have drawn to a close, with a federal appeals court deciding in PalmOne's favor. The handheld maker said Thursday that a federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that its products do not infringe on two NCR patents.

In March 2001, NCR sued Palm and Handspring, alleging that the companies infringed patents for a type of "portable personal terminal." NCR had appealed a district court ruling that sided with PalmOne, the company formed in the merger of Palm and Handspring.

"We believe the matter is now behind us," PalmOne said in a statement to CNET News.com. "We are gratified that the rulings were both issued and upheld." An NCR representative said the company is evaluating its options regarding further appeals. "We are disappointed with the decision from the Court of Appeals," the NCR representative said.