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Fargo recieves patents for laminating plastics cards

Fargo Electronics, the leading developer and manufacturer of desktop card printers announced recently that it had received a second US patent regarding lamination of plastic cards.

The patent, entitled 'Lamination Technique', US Patent number 6 022 429 ('429 patent), refers to the process of applying a clear or holographic laminate over the surface of a plastic ID card for the protection of the printed image from wear and fading.

This new patent complements an earlier patent in Fargo's portfolio entitled 'Lamination Technique', US Patent number 5 807 461 ('461 patent) which was issued in 1998. The earlier patent ('461) covers the lamination apparatus. Together, the two patents cover both the technique and the equipment for laminating plastic ID cards when sensing an I-mark placed on a carrier web of lamination material.

"This is an important patent for Fargo," says Gary Holland, President and Chief Executive Officer. "It adds another layer of protection to our intellectual property portfolio - now consisting of more than 50 patents either issued or applied for - and is another step forward in demonstrating our industry leadership and innovation capability. We are very pleased with the issuance of these patents and with the additional competitive strength that they offer our product line and distribution partners."

These two patents have significance for the entire card printing industry. The majority of desktop card printers on the market today use the lamination technique as described in the two patents. Fargo has the right to use these designs exclusively for 20 years from the date of the patent filing; starting on the day that the patents issued - 15 September 1998 for the '461 patent and 8 February 2000 for the '429 patent.

With ownership of these important processes and designs now established, Fargo is evaluating its future strategy in regard to the issuance of these new patents.

Says Jeff Dronen, Media and Public Relations at Fargo Electronics, "Fargo has received its second patent entitled 'Lamination Technique', patent number 6 022 429. It refers to the process of applying a clear or holographic laminate over the surface of a plastic ID card for the protection of the printed image from wear and fading. This patent complements an earlier patent, patent number 5 807 461 which covers the lamination apparatus. Together, the two patents cover both the technique and the equipment for laminating plastic ID cards when sensing an I-mark placed on a carrier web of lamination material. This is an important development for Fargo, because it demonstrates our technological innovation and that we truly are the industry leaders in the digital card printing market.

For details contact Jeff Dronen of Fargo Electronics

tel: (091) 952 946 8404

e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.fargo.com

Fargo are represented in SA by Teltron Digital

tel: (011) 887 1600

fax: (011) 887 5552

e-mail: [email protected]

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