Avery Dennison does deal with RFID patent troll

In a move designed to accelerate adoption of RFID at the item level, Avery Dennison has signed a licensing agreement with Round Rock Research.

Round Rock describes itself as a technology research and patent licensing firm while others have used the less glamorous phrase patent troll to characterize a company that doesn’t manufacture, sell or market products or services. Either way, the $1.5 billion Avery Dennison Retail Branding and Information Solution subsidiary of Avery Dennison said it entered into a licensing agreement with Round Rock for radio frequency tags and readers that will facilitate further adoption of item-level RFID by U.S.-based apparel retailers and brands.

“RFID adoption in the apparel industry is accelerating around the world due to the strong investment case and fundamental advantage it affords retailers to better manage inventory and serve customers,” said Shawn Neville, president of Avery Dennison RBIS. “This license agreement, along with our significant investments in RFID innovation, manufacturing capabilities and market development, positions us to lead the accelerating adoption of RFID in the U.S. and around the world.”



The move by Avery Dennison RBIS follows resolution of a lawsuit last month between Round Rock and Motorola Solutions and Smartrac. Round Rock had sued the firms and several of Motorola’s major customers for use products Round Rock said infringed on its patents.