Wave Systems Corp. (fka WAVXQ)

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Patent 6,618,806.

Looks like an important patent. Any implications with Wave's work going back to SSP Lironic - Saflink?

In addition to the software products acquired, IdentiPHI received a royalty-free, non-exclusive license right of use for Saflink's Patent No. 6,618,806, or 806 Patent, issued September 9, 2003. The terms of the agreement include provisions for IdentiPHI to jointly enforce and seek remedies from infringers of this patent with Saflink. Many existing biometric solution providers use a matching process similar to the one outlined in the 806 patent. The 806 Patent is a process for controlling access to a computer network using biometric authentication. The patent primarily addresses a critical step in biometric authentication -- the policy system. The invention provides the flexibility administrators need to tailor biometric security for users within their organization. This patent describes how to control access in a computer network environment with a policy-based biometric authentication solution. For instance, it applies to systems that obtain a user's ID, determines which biometric to use for authentication (using either a user-specific policy or a system default policy), captures the user's biometric, compares the live sample to a record on file, and allows the user to log on if matched. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-20-2007/0004549868&...

Patent 6,618,806:
System and Method for Authenticating Users in a Computer Network issued September 9, 2003, describes what we consider a fundamental process for controlling access to a computer network using biometric authentication. The patent primarily governs what we believe is a critical step in biometric authentication—the policy system. The invention, currently outlined by 10 claims, provides the flexibility administrators need to tailor biometric security for users within their organization. This patent describes how to control access in a computer network environment with a policy-based biometric authentication solution. It applies to any system that obtains a user’s ID, determines which biometric to use for authentication (using either a user-specific policy or a system default policy), captures the user’s biometric, compares the live sample to a record on file, and allows the user to log on if matched. http://www.saflink.com/leadership/saflink-patents.html

Saflink and Digital Persona Announce Settlement of Patent Infringement Lawsuit

BELLEVUE, WA – (March 14, 2006) – Saflink® Corporation (NASDAQ: SFLK) and Digital Persona, Inc., today announced the parties have reached an amicable settlement of Saflink’s patent infringement lawsuit against Digital Persona under U.S. Patent 6,618,806, that establishes a method for authenticating users to a computer network. Under the terms of the settlement, Saflink has agreed to dismiss all pending legal claims against Digital Persona, and to grant a royalty-bearing, non-exclusive license to the ‘806 patent family to Digital Persona. In addition, Digital Persona has agreed to grant a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to its U.S. Patent 6,125,192 patent family for a fingerprint recognition system. Other terms of the settlement are confidential and were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased to reach a favorable settlement with Digital Persona regarding our patent rights," said Glenn Argenbright, President and CEO of Saflink. “This settlement demonstrates the relevance of our intellectual property portfolio to the challenges faced everywhere today to secure computer networks against intrusion and loss. We believe that our patents and intellectual property are valuable assets, and we will continue to vigorously protect our rights.”

Wave's EMBASSY Trust Suite to Support DigitalPersona Pro Fingerprint Authentication Server Endpoint Security Enhanced by the Combination of User and Machine Authentication

LEE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX - News) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with DigitalPersona, Inc. permitting Wave to incorporate the DigitalPersona® Pro Fingerprint Authentication technology into the EMBASSY Trust Suite® (ETS) Enterprise Edition product family.

Wave's Embassy Trust Suite is a collection of practical, easy-to-use applications that can allow enterprises to enhance PC security by utilizing the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip. The DigitalPersona Pro Server leverages Microsoft® Active Directory to provide secure, centrally managed fingerprint authentication services to an enterprise network.

At the endpoints of all networks sit two distinct entities - the platform, such as a notebook or desktop PC, and the user. Each of these entities could pose security risks. The platform may be corrupted with malware and users may not securely protect their passwords. Most anti-virus software and complex password policies only put a bandage on these problems. To address this, many PC makers are now incorporating platform security solutions such as TPMs and fingerprint readers. Today's announcement brings together Wave, a leader in secure enterprise software solutions and management for TPM's, and DigitalPersona, a leader in enterprise software for fingerprint authentication.

"This support will allow enterprises using Wave's ETS Enterprise products to use the DigitalPersona Pro Server to centrally manage fingerprint authentication policies and credentials via Active Directory. The synergy of DigitalPersona products with Wave Systems' TPM remote management, key recovery, escrow and migration products for Active Directory provide important security back-office components for the enterprise customer," commented Brian Berger, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Wave Systems.
Peter McCoy, vice president of business development for DigitalPersona added, "Enterprises are beginning to take a holistic approach to security, combining the authentication of both the machine and the user. DigitalPersona is excited to work with Wave Systems to provide the power and flexibility of our DigitalPersona Pro fingerprint authentication server component. We believe this combined offering provides a valuable asset to enterprise IT."

The EMBASSY Trust Suite with DigitalPersona Pro Server support is expected to be available in 2007 as part of Wave's ETS Enterprise Edition Software.