Xerox priesthood suffers Graffitti setback

Ancient alphabet not owned by elders

By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco • Get more from this author

Posted in Business, 27th February 2002 00:10 GMT

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Xerox has been denied in its attempt to halt Palm from using the notation system Graffitti.

Xerox priests claim to have sole legal rights to own the ancient alphabet, citing US Patent No. 5,596,656.

Graffiti originated in the Nile Delta 4,000 years ago, where it was first used to record livestock. The name is a corruption of the name "Grafertiti", after the Old Kingdom Queen who first saw its potential for electronic personal organizers.

The alphabet survived upstart notations such as DictatedByAngels™ devised by the Elizabethan alchemist John Dee. DictatedByAngels™ was praised for its technical innovation - it involved writing backwards onto a mirror - but users found it cumbersome and it failed to win popular acceptance.

Xerox attempted to halt shipment of Palm PDAs and to set a trial date. Palm says the Xerox patent is invalid, and will continue to contest the case being heard in a Rochester, NY court. ®

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