Is it anything like Adobe's claim that Macromedia is violating its patent on tabbed palette patent?

[link|http://www.adobe.com/adobefacts/faq.html|Here's] Adobe's FAQ on it.

Q8: Tabbed palettes are fairly common throughout software applications and operating systems -- what makes Adobe's palettes special and patentable?

A: Like Velcro\ufffd and Post-It\ufffd notes, the very best inventions become so familiar that they are taken for granted. The fact that tabbed palettes seem so natural and common now is a testimony to the Adobe development effort that went into the invention. Adobe's patent describes a unique method that allows tabs within palettes to be customized, separated and reorganized by users. This invention was a significant leap forward for customers' productivity and personalization of the interface.

It seems similar to what you describe. You create a generic, extendable tabbed palette widget which can be extended to "obvious" uses in graphics apps...

I'd think it would depend on how well the patent was written and how many claims the PTO allowed in awarding the patent.

Adobe seems to think they have a strong case. I can't evaluate the merits...

Does that help?

Cheers,
Scott.