Intermec, Symbol resolve RFID dispute

By Control Engineering Staff September 13, 2005

Everett, WA; Holtsville, NY — Intermec Technologies and Symbol Technologies Inc. have agreed to settle their radio frequency identification (RFID) intellectual property dispute. In addition, all other pending and anticipated legal actions have been put on hold while the two companies attempt to resolve remaining disputes.

The conflict began in June 2004 when Intermec filed a patent infringement suit against Matrics Corp.—which is now Symbol Technologies—related to Intermec’s RFID patents. Under terms of the agreement, Symbol joins Intermec’s Rapid Start RFID intellectual property licensing program, which gives Symbol access to a number of Intermec RFID patent portfolios, including RFID tags and fixed and portable readers. Symbol is also providing Intermec with access to its RFID intellectual property by exercising the cross-licensing provisions of the Rapid Start program. Intermec will file for dismissal of its RFID lawsuits in the Delaware district court.

Both companies said they believe the agreement is a fair compromise of the issues related to RFID. They said that subsequent efforts to resolve all legal disputes is in the best interests of shareholders and customers and will encourage accelerated adoption of RFID and automated data collection technologies within the industry.

Intermec Technologies Corp. develops, manufactures, and integrates technologies that identify, track, and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include Intellitag RFID, mobile computing systems, and bar code printers and media. Symbol Technologies Inc. deals in enterprise mobility, delivering products and solutions that capture, move, and manage information in real time to and from the point of business activity. Solutions integrate advanced data capture products, radio frequency identification technology, mobile computing platforms, wireless infrastructure, mobility software, and world-class services programs under the Symbol Enterprise Mobility Services brand.

For more on the dispute, click here to read an earlier article from Control Engineering .

—Control Engineering Daily News DeskJeanine Katzel, senior editor, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com