News
Issue #2002 - 37 (September 2002)
(Updated October 2, 2002)

OPINION and ANALYSIS 

Palm Inc.'s software unit, PalmSource Inc., taking a direct shot at its rival Research In Motion Ltd., said that it is teaming up with start-up Good Technology Inc. to deliver a wireless e-mail program to PalmSource licensees.

Under the terms of the agreement, PalmSource, Sunnyvale, Calif., will make Good's wireless corporate e-mail and messaging software, called GoodLink, available on the Palm operating system. The two companies will work together on both technical and marketing issues.

PalmSource vice president Albert Chu said the alliance helps the company extend its offerings to corporate customers. But Mr. Chu also said it was unclear how readily PalmSource licensees would adopt GoodLink and when it would be made available to the end user. Danny Shader, Good's chief executive, said in a statement that the alliance with PalmSource formed an important way for Good to widely distribute its GoodLink software.

The agreement is a competitive shot at Research In Motion, which is a leader in the wireless corporate e-mail and messaging arena with its popular Blackberry pager. In May, Good filed suit attacking RIM's patent on a technology called single unified e-mail. That same month, RIM launched a patent-infringement suit against Good.

Separately, PalmSource's Mr. Chu said that Samsung Electronics Co., which has licensed Palm's operating system since 2000, had decided to renew its license. Under a new agreement, Samsung said it will renew its license of the Palm operating system through 2005. Samsung has in the past built combination phone and organizer devices atop the Palm software.

For more information: http://www.palmsource.com/press/2002/092602_2.html and  http://www.goodlink.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory:  RIM has sued Good Technology for patent infringement. Courts will decide whether it should or should not pay royalty to RIM. However, we do like limited competition in this space. It will force RIM to innovate and keep prices under control. Palm's new line of products (coming this month) will look more like Blackberry.

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.