diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.as b/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.as
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..38d2d1dd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.as
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+//
+// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2007 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.threerings.crowd.chat.client {
+
+/**
+ * A marker interface to be implemented by components such that
+ * the chat system will not try to steal focus from them when a chat-like
+ * character is entered.
+ */
+public interface ChatCantStealFocus
+{
+    // nothing!
+}
+}
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.java b/src/java/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5e1d5f5f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/crowd/chat/client/ChatCantStealFocus.java
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+//
+// $Id$
+//
+// Narya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2007 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/narya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.threerings.crowd.chat.client;
+
+/**
+ * A marker interface to be implemented by components such that
+ * the chat system will not try to steal focus from them when a chat-like
+ * character is entered.
+ */
+public interface ChatCantStealFocus
+{
+    // nothing!
+}