SATO Corporation Joins Intermec RFID Rapid Start Licensing Program
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Tokyo, Japan, September 07, 2005- As part of a broader campaign to promote the widespread adoption of RFID technology from a user perspective, SATO Corporation announced today that it has joined the Intermec RFID Rapid Start Licensing Program. This intellectual property licensing program allows for SATO to have access to Intermec's portfolio of patents that relate to RFID Fixed and Portable Printers. The 90-day program, which drew to a close on August 31, was an opportunity for manufacturers to draw from the pool of expertise and experience in areas patented by Intermec to manufacture products with the RFID capabilities sought after by consumers.
"I believe that one of the key criteria to the rapid adoption of RFID technology lies in the way intellectual property is made available to the user community. We, as a global leader in thermal printing and consumables, cannot take a "wait and see" attitude towards this very important matter," says SATO President Masanori Otsuka. "The signing of this Licensing Program clearly signals SATO's intent to collaborate for the greater benefit of the industry while at the same time continuing to compete fairly in the market. And by joining this program, we believe it will give SATO users and resellers the peace of mind they need to actively promote and adopt RFID technology".
Additionally, Mr. Otsuka stated, "SATO is dedicated to making RFID implementation as easy and "worry-free" as possible. Joining Intermec's Rapid Start Licensing Program is just another example of SATO's dedication to our customers".
Intermec, a UNOVA Inc. company, holds more than 145 RFID patents covering broad areas of UHF supply chain RFID practice and application. Its patents cover all standards and classes related to the international practice of RFID, including Class 0, Class 0+, Class 1, UHF Generation 2, ISO and others.
About SATO
SATO is a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry, and the inventor of the world's first electronic thermal transfer barcode printer. It revolutionised the barcoding industry by introducing the Data Collection System (DCS) & Labelling concept - a total barcode and labelling solution providing high quality barcode printers, scanners/hand held terminals, label design software and consumables. SATO is one of the first in the industry to introduce a complete, multi-protocol EPC-compliant, UHF RFID solution.
SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan. It has worldwide offices in United States, Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and China. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, it reported revenues of US$575 million. More information about SATO Corporation can be found at http://www.sato.co.jp/english
