BIO-key International, Inc., a leader in finger-based biometric identification and wireless public safety solutions announced today that the Company’s patent for biometric identification indexing, a core feature of its VST(TM) software, has been granted in Europe. In addition, a WEB-key� authentication security patent for “Systems and Methods of Secure Biometric Authentication” has been issued in South Africa.

These filings ensure the worldwide protection of BIO-key’s revolutionary technology. The European patent for VST, which provides BIO-key with protection of its intellectual property in Europe, was issued on March 29, 2006 and covers a similar set of claims for a patent BIO-key was granted in 2005 in the United States. BIO-key expects the patent for Secure Biometric Authentication, issued in South Africa on April 26, 2006, to be issued in the United States in the near future.

“The issuance of these patents is significant in that they protect our biometric technology outside of the United States, and also include the first WEB-key patent to be issued. WEB-key’s inclusion is an important point given that it serves as the platform for our software applications that use biometrics for verification and identification,” stated Mike DePasquale, BIO- key’s CEO.

“These patents are a critical component in our company’s growth in that they protect our core technology which enables us to deliver a practical solution to one of the most pressing problems faced by corporations and individuals alike; preventing identity theft and fraud. The implications for usage of this technology in banking, healthcare, and government applications — or simply to protect your own personal electronic files — are immense,” added Tom Colatosti, Chairman of BIO-key’s board.

Sequiam Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Sequiam Biometrics, Inc. (www.sequiambiometrics.com), a leading provider of biometric technology and services, announced today that the Sequiam ScanQ biometric scanner and ScanQ Security Suite fingerprint authentication software are ready to ship to customers. Purchase is available on-line immediately at www.sequiam.com.

ScanQ is a proprietary biometric scanner for PC applications that provides users with an inexpensive, high quality, accurate fingerprint security that can be integrated into many software applications. ScanQ provides a reliable, quick and user-friendly alternative to passwords, PINs and other forms of user authentication

ScanQ Security Suite fingerprint authentication software includes features like Windows log-on, file encryption, Internet Explorer password bank, screen saver lock, PC lock and shutdown timer. ScanQ supports the Microsoft Windows 2000/XP operating system and soon the Macintosh OSX operating system.

Sequiam’s ScanQ supports USB interface and has a high 500dpi resolution. The scanner is programmable to adapt to wet and dry fingers. ScanQ and ScanQ Security Suite have applications including, but not limited to, computer and network log-on, physical access control, point-of-sale terminals, transportation security, medical information protection and cardholder ID validation.

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Synaptics Incorporated,  a leading developer of interface solutions for mobile computing, communications and entertainment devices, today announced the introduction of SecurePad(TM), a new biometric TouchPad created especially for notebooks. The SecurePad product is the result of a partnership with Validity Sensors, Inc. which allows Synaptics to exclusively offer TouchPad interface solutions that incorporate Validity’s LiveFlex(TM) fingerprint sensing technology for convenient and reliable biometric security in the notebook market.

The SecurePad integrates the LiveFlex fingerprint sensor with a Synaptics TouchPad, offering notebook OEMs a single integrated biometric interface module. This modular approach not only simplifies integration for the OEM, but also allows manufacturers to offer fingerprint security as a build to order option.

“Synaptics has always been at the forefront of introducing new technologies to the notebook market and supporting our customer’s design initiatives,” said Mariel van Tatenhove, Senior Product Line Director of PC Products. “The SecurePad offers computer manufacturers a reliable biometric security TouchPad solution that is easy to integrate.”

With the LiveFlex sensor, users simply swipe their finger over a durable plastic surface for authentication, identification, and data security, eliminating the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords. To overcome the drawbacks of existing fingerprint sensors, the LiveFlex sensor is separated from the silicon, dramatically increasing the sensor’s resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Additionally, the surface of the Validity sensor provides superior resistance to general chemicals, liquids, abrasion, and impact, critical factors for notebook use in real world environments.

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Digimarc Corporation today announced the availability of version 2.0 of the powerful and proven Digimarc Biometric Identification solution. Drawing on successful deployment in states such as Alabama, Colorado, and Kansas, where Digimarc Biometric Identification stops thousands of attempts at driver license fraud and identity theft each year, this next-generation solution delivers new enhancements to accelerate searching, coordinate investigations, and stop driver license fraud.

Massachusetts recently completed a successful implementation of Biometric Identification 2.0, and Oregon and Texas have placed orders for the solution. Digimarc Biometric Identification 2.0 helps ensure that individuals applying for a driver license have not already been issued a valid license under another name or identity. This is accomplished using sophisticated facial recognition technologies that match an applicant’s new portrait to the agency’s database of licensing images to identify potential duplicates.

Biometric Identification 2.0, which was developed with input from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and the Massachusetts State Police, allows those two agencies to run the 4,000 to 5,000 applicant images taken daily against the RMV’s database of approximately 10 million images. Investigators review all matches, typically ruling out fraud in 5 to 10 seconds. So far, Digimarc Biometric Identification has detected minors who have obtained a duplicate license in order to buy alcohol, individuals whose licenses have been revoked or suspended, and career criminals who use multiple identities to evade capture and arrest.

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BioPassword, Inc., the only software company providing secure authentication and anti-fraud solutions based on the behavioral biometric of keystroke dynamics, and Oyco, the first comprehensive web communications toolkit, today announced that Oyco is using BioPassword Internet Edition two-factor authentication solution to validate the identities of its customers by the rhythm of their typing.

“Whether we’re helping hurricane Katrina victims or providing supplies to the Sudan, immediate communication is critical to our international aid operations; however, with passwords being stolen and laptops confiscated, secure communication is of utmost concern,” said William Blaney, CEO of the Global Aid Network. “Oyco’s communication tools along with BioPassword’s authentication offer the perfect combination of convenience and security. Now, employees can log-on from any computer and know that their identity is protected.”

As the only web-based application with seven different forms of communication including email, blog space, VOIP, video conference, instant messaging, text messaging and a personal website, Oyco enables its users to communicate from any computer that is connected to the Internet. To ensure its breadth of communication tools cannot become a vehicle for identity theft, Oyco researched the best authentication options. After evaluating other authentication technologies that required cumbersome tokens or remembering elaborate credentials, Oyco selected BioPassword as the most secure, cost-effective and easy-to-use solution.

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