Intermec Technologies Corp. has introduced its RFID Rapid Start Licensing Programme for a limited time period in order to provide the RFID industry with access to its portfolio of over 145 RFID inventions, with the aim of boosting the general adoption of Generation 2 technology.

     Offered from June 1st 2005 until August 31st 2005, and to simplify the licensing of its intellectual property, Intermec''s Rapid Start Licensing Programme provides guidance about which vendors are licensed to use the RFID intellectual property, and simplifies cross-licensing issues for all concerned. 116.30.151.81 This article is copyright 2005 UsingRFID.com.

Four IP groups
     According to terms of the programme, Intermec''s 145 RFID patents, including continuations, will be available in four portfolio families to licensees that execute Rapid Start Licensing Programme agreements. The programme''s pricing includes a nominal initial fee and royalty fees ranging from 2.5% to 7.5%. However, the programme offers lower royalties for licensees that cross-license their intellectual property.

     According to Mike Wills, Intermec''s vice president and general manager: "Technology vendors are feeling the pressure to provide the market with the high-performance RFID products and services that customers are now demanding. This programme offers substantial benefits and minimises cross-licensing negotiation delays so our partners can rapidly design and bring their products to market without concerns about IP infringement."

When it''s over...
     Companies must execute a licensing agreement to participate in the Rapid Start Licensing Programme. And when the programme finishes, Intermec will offer for license only individual patents, and those declared on a reasonable and non-discriminatory basis (RAND), as part of the company''s standards-setting activities - and at less favourable rates and terms than those available in the Rapid Start Licensing Programme.

"Gartner advises our user clients to factor royalties for Generation 2 RFID equipment and tags into their business cases even though they will not directly pay them," explained Jeff

     Woods, research vice president for enterprise and supply chain research for Gartner. "Efforts to avoid the royalties have only served to distract users and delay experimentation with the technology. Every step that the vendors and standards community can take toward clarification and simplification of intellectual property issues around RFID will accelerate rollouts of this technology."

 

 

 

 

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