SCM Microsystems Enters Into Memorandum of Understanding With Sony Corporation on FeliCa Contactless Technology
May 27 2008 - 10:53AM
PR Newswire (US)
ISMANING, Germany, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM
Microsystems, GmbH.
(NASDAQ:SCMMNASDAQ:PrimeNASDAQ:Standard:NASDAQ:SMY), a leading
provider of solutions that open the Digital World, announced today
that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sony
Corporation to develop and supply FeliCa(R) contactless card
readers for international markets. Under the arrangement, SCM will
develop its own line of FeliCa products targeting the enterprise,
mobile and banking markets. Initially, the product portfolio is
planned to consist of FeliCa Physical Access Control Terminals
(PACT); additional products are under discussion between the two
companies. All SCM terminals and readers developed under the
cooperation are anticipated to be fully ISO 14443 and FeliCa
capable and fully support Near Field Communication (NFC)
functionality. SCM expects to introduce the first readers in its
FeliCa portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2008. FeliCa is the de
facto standard for contactless payment in Japan, which is the most
developed contactless market in the world with more than 250
million electronic payment cards and FeliCa-enabled mobile phones
in circulation today. Created by Sony, FeliCa is based on radio
frequency identification (RFID) technology and enables flexible and
secure contactless transactions, making it useful for a variety of
applications, including electronic cash, points systems and ticket
purchases. The word "FeliCa" derives from Felicity Card,
underscoring the card's aim to make daily living easier and more
convenient. The FeliCa card allows users to send and receive data
at high speed and with high security. As the card can be used over
and over again by rewriting the data, the system also is very
environment-friendly. "We are very pleased to be selected by Sony
as a trusted partner in their FeliCa initiative," said Felix Marx,
Chief Executive Officer of SCM Microsystems. "This is a significant
achievement for SCM and the foundation of what we hope will be a
long-term relationship with Sony and other players in the global
FeliCa ecosystem." "We are looking for experienced and reliable
partners who have the ability to help expand the FeliCa globally.
We welcome the cooperation with SCM Microsystems and look forward
to making it a success," said Hiromasa Otsuka, Corporate Executive
Senior Vice President at Sony Corporation responsible for the
FeliCa Business Division. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems
is a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World by
enabling people to conveniently access digital content and
services. The company develops, markets and sells the industry's
broadest range of contact and contactless smart card reader
technology for secure PC, payment systems, network and physical
access, and digital media readers for transfer of digital content
to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise, consumer
electronics and photographic equipment markets worldwide. Global
headquarters are in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information,
visit the SCM Microsystems web site at http://www.scmmicro.com/.
About Sony Corporation Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer
of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information
technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With
its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses,
Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and
entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated
annual sales of approximately $88 billion for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/ NOTE:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
These include our statements contained above regarding the proposed
arrangement between SCM and Sony and SCM's development of FeliCa
contactless card readers, including, without limitation, the
development and make-up of the initial product portfolio, the
development of any future products, the timing of SCM's
introduction of any such products, the compliance with various
standards or functionality of any such products and the long-term
nature of the relationship between the parties. These statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contemplated herein. The
Memorandum of Understanding is a statement of the intent of the
parties and we cannot assure you that we will enter into a final
definitive agreement with Sony regarding the terms and conditions
under which they would provide support for us to develop FeliCa
card readers, in which case we it is unlikely that we would be able
to develop or sell any such card readers. In addition, there is no
assurance that we will be able to introduce FeliCa card readers to
the market within the time frame that we anticipate or at all. For
a discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to our
business, please refer to our public company reports, including our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and
subsequent reports, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. Note to Editors: FeliCa is a contactless IC card
technology developed by Sony Corporation. FeliCa is a registered
trademark of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems
CONTACT: Annika Oelsner, +49 89 9595-5220, , or Darby Dye,
+1-510-249-4883, , both of SCM Microsystems Web site:
http://www.scmmicro.com/ http://www.sony.net/
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