New logo reassures buyers of licensed RFID products

Radio-frequency identification (RFID), often used in packaging supply chains for automatic identification and data capture at the case and pallet load level, continues to evolve, with new technologies introduced on a regular basis.

The RFID Consortium has created a new logo that identifies UHF RFID products manufactured and sold under a license for essential patents through the RFID Consortium, an organization that promotes rapid adoption of UHF RFID technology.

"This new RFID Consortium logo will be used to identify UHF RFID products provided by companies licensed through the RFID Consortium," says Jim O'Hagan, a spokesperson for the RFID Consortium and director of patents and technology for Zebra Technologies. "Displaying this logo on products or supporting documentation will make it easy for end users, distributors, systems integrators, and vendors to know that products they purchase are licensed through the RFID Consortium."

The logo consists of two sets of opposing concentric curves using three colors: red, grey and black.

The concentric curves suggest the radio signal transmission and backscattered response signal used in radio frequency identification. Where color printing is not possible the logo will be used in black on white versions and reversed in white on black. Purchasers of UHF RFID products should look for the logo on products, packaging and accompanying documentation. The logo may be used by all UHF RFID Consortium licensees and should provide purchasers with peace of mind about their UHF RFID systems. "While use of the logo on UHF RFID products is only just beginning," says O'Hagan, "we expect wide adoption of this logo in the coming years."

The RFID Consortium offers a single license to those patents owned by the participating companies that are essential to the practice of the UHF RFID standards established by EPCglobal and ISO. Sisvel US Inc. is the administrator of the licensing program. RFID Consortium members include: 3M; ETRI; LG Electronics; Mojix Inc., Motorola Solutions; Trimble Navigation Limited, ThingMagic Div.; Unitech Electronics Co. Ltd.; and Zebra Technologies. These companies are able to display and use the logo in connection with their UHF RFID products.

A license to the RFID Consortium patent portfolio is available to any manufacturer or seller of UHF RFID products, and participation in the RFID Consortium UHF RFID licensing program remains open to all holders of patents essential to the UHF RFID standards.

Source: Sisvel