GPC Spins Off Acticon Technologies LLC to Manage Its Portfolio of "Intelligent Connector" Patents

SUFFERN, NY, June 19, 2000 - General Patent Corporation (GPC), an intellectual property management firm headquartered in Suffern, New York, announced the spin-off of its Acticon Technologies division into a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, Acticon Technologies LLC.

Acticon Technologies LLC will inherit GPC's portfolio of "intelligent connector" patents. Acticon Technologies was originally formed as a division of GPCI in 1996 to license and enforce its portfolio of four patents covering intelligent connectors, PC Card modems and other PCMCIA communication devices. This award-winning intelligent connector technology is based on U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,320 "Connector Interface;" 4,686,506 "Multiple Connector Interface;" 4,972,470 "Programmable Connector;" and 4,543,450 "Integrated Connector and Modem."

The formation of Acticon Technologies LLC will allow GPC to more effectively manage this rapidly growing area of its business," said Alexander Poltorak, GPC's Chairman and CEO. "GPCI will continue to represent Acticon Technologies LLC as its exclusive intellectual property management agent."

"GPC has successfully licensed our patents to more than 80% of the PC Card modem industry," said Steven Farago, Ph.D., one of the inventors of the intelligent connector and Acticon's Chief Technologist. "We intend to focus our licensing and enforcement efforts on the automotive, aircraft and connector industries."

GPC has successfully licensed Acticon Technologies' patents to such industry leaders as IBM, Motorola, 3Com, Xircom, Conexant, ActionTec Electronics, Zoom Telephonics, Multi-Tech Systems and many others. Several patent infringement lawsuits brought by GPC to enforce this patent portfolio were settled by the defendants by licensing Acticon Technologies' patents.

General Patent Corporation is a leading international intellectual property (IP) management firm, which provides IP analysis and strategy to domestic and foreign businesses, universities, research institutions and inventors. Client services include patent licensing and enforcement, IP portfolio audit and valuation, IP portfolio management, and technology transfer.