Card Activation Technologies, Inc. holds rights in U.S. Patent 6 032 859, entitled "Method for Processing Debit Purchase Transactions using a Counter-Top Terminal System."
As defined by the 38 claims in the Patent document itself, this patent has a wide range of applications, covering many of the debit card and gift card systems being used by thousands of retail establishments all across America.
In developing their debit card / gift card system, the inventors anticipated the need for higher security and more convenience at the retail level. The virtual explosion of debit card and now gift card useage in America comes more than ten years after the inventors developed their patented system.
Card Activation Technologies, Inc. is presently engaged in an aggressive program to license the rights in its patented system to infringers, and to notify potential infringers of their patent rights. An early settlement was reached with one of the largest restaurant chains in the world.
Patent infringement lawsuits are progressing against a number of key infringers, through its Chicago law firm, Orum & Roth LLC. Active suits include Sears, Walgreens, Barnes & Noble, Aeropostale, and OfficeMax.
The patent will remain in force through the year 2017, providing Card Activation Technologies, Inc. with the exclusive right to its patented system for the next ten years. The company intends to aggressively enforce its rights during the entire life of the patent, and to receive royalty payments from all infringing parties until the patent expires in 2017.
