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Intermec Claims RFID is Proprietary

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the bought-the-right dept.

seeks2know writes "Line56.com reports that Intermec is claiming patents on RFID chips, readers, and tags. They have launched their first lawsuit against Matrics. They seek to sell licenses to all RFID manufacturers. Erik Michielsen of ABI Research states '...this definitely clouds the UHF Generation 2 standards discussions and is fueling considerable animosity in the industry.' Interestingly, the patents that Intermec is claiming were acquired in their acquisition of IBM's RFID laboratory in December, 1997. Another case of a submarine patent strategy?"

17 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. They're using... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    the evil of patents for good. Hmm, I think my head might explode.

    1. Re:They're using... by typobox43 · · Score: 4, Funny

      ERROR: Infinite recursive loop.

    2. Re:They're using... by grolschie · · Score: 2, Funny

      I for one, welcome our new RFID patent holding overlords! Does that mean I can stop wearing my tinfoil hat now?

  2. No No No... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's not the way to handle a submarine patent. Everyone knows what you're SUPPOSED to do is wait until every large and small company is using RFID and become totally dependant on it. THEN you hit them with the licensing and lawsuits. How do you expect to make any money if you stifle this before it gets really big. Bad Intermec! Bad dog!

    1. Re:No No No... by NachoDaddy · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, you just have to wait for Walmart to adopt it, which is as good as the whole retail industry

    2. Re:No No No... by xOleanderx · · Score: 4, Funny

      That is referred to as pulling a SCO.

    3. Re:No No No... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Your supposed to wait till every company large and small depends on the technology, then start suing the small companies, not the big (IBM sized) ones.

      Since when is Damlier-Chrysler a small company?

  3. They're using...A small blow. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    " Hmm, I think my head might explode."

    Sorry. I have a patent on that. Pay up, then blow up.

  4. 2 wrongs? by grasshoppa · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, 2 wrongs really DO make a right.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  5. What the... by SsShane · · Score: 4, Funny

    The government agency I work at uses RFID for security! These guys are terrorists.

  6. Re:Ladies and Gentlemen... by randyest · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe this will delay RFID rollouts untill some of the privacy issues are fixed?

    Which ones would those be? All consumer-product RFID tags have self-destruct codes, so you can disable them. What's the problem again?

    --
    everything in moderation
  7. they crazy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    should wait until RFID is in use everywhere up to and including imbedded under the skin of all citizens...

    then, and only then is the time right to make the ultimate claim...

    "All your rfid are belong to us"

    think of the shareholder value...

  8. There you go by melted · · Score: 2, Funny

    One problem (Patents) cancels another problem (RFID). Everyone's happy.

  9. I'm confused by Yo+Grark · · Score: 1, Funny

    How is microsft connected to this again?

    Yo Grark

    --
    Canadian Bred with American Buttering
  10. Patents are Bad! Apple is Good! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Software should be Free!

    Slashdot sounds like a broken record, if you're old enought to remember broken records.

  11. Finally, the patent mess does some good... by Theovon · · Score: 2, Funny

    It just so happens that this one company's back-stabbing greed might just result in improved privacy.

    Ironic, isn't it.

  12. Pulling a SCO by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Still missing something. You need to make sure you dont actually have the patent, but have a patent which contains similar words (such as "the" or "and") and sue everyone who infringes the patent as well as the true patent holder. But never, ever show your patent to anyone.