AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SMARTRAC N.V., the leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders and inlays, today announced full validity and unrestricted confirmation of its patent CN 11 19 768 C by the Chinese Patent Re-examination Board (PRB).

The confirmation follows a lengthy legal process in which market participants tried to challenge one of the patents related to the company's proprietary wire-embedding technology.

'We are very pleased that our patent has been validated by the Chinese authorities. This is another important step in our strategy to protect and defend our patents on a global scale,' said Christian Uhl, Co-Chairman and CFO. 'The validation of one of our wire-embedding patents will help us to further strengthen our market position in the region and to take the necessary means against infringement of our intellectual property.'

Wire-embedding technology is the de facto standard for the manufacture of high-quality and high-security RFID inlays and transponders used in application fields such as e-passport and further areas where durability and reliability of the antenna and the inlay are key.

SMARTRAC holds numerous patents related to its proprietary wire-embedding technology. Furthermore, the company has steadily increased the number of patents and patent applications in the course of time. At the end of 2012, SMARTRAC held more than 700 patents and patent applications for technology, equipment, and the production of RFID components. In addition to its Intellectual Property (IP), SMARTRAC also has extensive knowledge and experience in processing technologies such as wafer processing, assembly, chip module packaging capabilities, antenna-chip interconnecting technologies, and lamination. Based on these strengths, the company is the technology partner of choice in the global RFID industry.

About SMARTRAC: SMARTRAC(R) is the leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID and NFC transponders and inlays. The company produces both ready-made and customized transponders and inlays used in access control, animal identification, automated fare collection, border control, RFID-based car immobilizers, contactless payment cards, electronic product identification, industry, libraries and media management, laundry, logistics, mobile and smart media, public transport, retail, and many more.

SMARTRAC was founded in 2000 and has its registered headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The company currently employs approximately 3,600 employees and maintains a global research and development, production, and sales network.

Forward-looking statements: All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions, planning, and forecasts at the time of publication of this press release. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions, and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning, and forecasts at the time of publication of this press release. Therefore, SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Furthermore, SMARTRAC N.V. does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Language: English
Company: SMARTRAC N.V.
Strawinskylaan 851
1077 XX Amsterdam
Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 30 50 157
Fax: +31 20 30 50 155
E-mail: investor.relations@smartrac-group.com
Internet: www.smartrac-group.com
ISIN: NL0000186633
WKN: A0JEHN