News Releases

ITC Finds Patent Infringement by Suprema and Mentalix

Initial Determination’ supports Cross Match claims of infringement related to advanced biometric technologies

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. June 21, 2011 – Chief Administrative Law Judge, Paul Luckern of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), issued an initial determination in favor of claims made by Cross Match Technologies, Inc., a global provider of biometric identity solutions, that its patents were infringed by Suprema, Inc. and Mentalix, Inc. In his ruling, Judge Luckern found there is a violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Action of 1930, and recommended “issuance of a limited exclusion order barring entry into the United States of infringing biometric scanning devices and systems, including RealScan-10 compact ten-print live scanner and the RealScan-D portable dual finger live scanner when used in conjunction with Mentalix’s Fed Submit software.” The judge also recommended issuance of an appropriate cease and desist order barring sale of any existing inventory.

“We are pleased that the initial determination supports our view that Suprema and its distributor have infringed our patents,” said Cross Match General Counsel, Kathryn Hutton. “As a leader in advanced biometric identity solutions, we have a history of innovation with over 110 granted patents and additional applications pending.”

The ruling stemmed from a patent infringement complaint filed on May 11, 2010 by Cross Match and subsequent investigation and trial by the ITC.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents Cross Match. Lead trial lawyer Max Grant, a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and co-chair of its global intellectual property litigation practice, commented, “the ITC is a specialized venue that provides American companies with one of the fastest opportunities to have justice done and to keep infringing technologies out of the U.S. marketplace. We are pleased with Judge Luckern’s ruling and look forward to the Commission’s review.”

Korean-based Suprema manufactures the RealScan-D portable dual finger live scanner and RealScan-10 compact ten-print live scanner. Mentalix, based in Plano, Texas, distributes Suprema products, which resulted in a bid award by the U.S. Census Bureau. Cross Match’s complaint alleged that Suprema’s live scanner products infringe Cross Match’s hardware and software patents that protect the Company’s proprietary systems and methods, including its patented “auto capture” capability and configuration of optics, which allow for enhanced fingerprint acquisition. Cross Match also has an infringement suit against Suprema and Mentalix pending in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

About the ITC
The USITC is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency which, among other things, has the authority to enforce intellectual property rights under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. More information about Section 337 is available at http://www.usitc.gov/index.htm or http://www.usitc.gov/intellectual_property/documents/337_faqs.pdf.

About Cross Match Technologies
Cross Match Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of biometric identity management systems, applications and enabling technologies to governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses around the world. These solutions are used to capture and process the unique physical characteristics of individuals to establish and verify their identities. Offerings include multiple biometric technologies capable of wireless, mobile or stationary use that encompass fingerprint, palm and full-hand scanners, facial recognition systems, iris scanning technology, document readers, biometric software, and related services. For more information visit www.crossmatch.com.

Company Contact:
Kathryn Hutton, General Counsel
Tel: 561.622.1650
kathryn.hutton@crossmatch.com