CHARLOTTE, NC – 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 31st, 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,” said 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.