RE: A key phrase...Absolutely right Jeepman. Let's be explicit about the meaning of the release and then figure out its implications. Cross licencing means that Intermec and Sam are giving each other permission to utilize each others property. This is not a case where SMY has obtained permission to utilize Intermec's IP portfolio in consideration of a payment of money. Intermec and SMY are trading to each other the right to use the others IP.
Now, we know what Intermec is licencing, a whole host of RFID intellectual property. What could Sam be licencing? Well, in my view, that isn't hard to figure out. Sam has a small portfolio of IP in RFID applications. One of its patents appears to be particularly significant, namely its IP in its multi-frequency, multi-protocol reader. I would think that the right to use SMY's MF/MP technology is the value proposition for Intermec and that is what it has licenced in this cross licencing agreement.
So what conclusions do we draw from this? First, Intermec is implementing its "lets take Intermec's RFID rights seriously" policy. Any company who does not buy readers from Intermec or its licencee, may be buying not only a reader but a law suit for infringing Intermec's patents. So, given that SMY, so far as I know, to this point in time is the only licencee which Intermec has, the licence gives SMY a very significant market advantage. Companies can buy SMY's reader without fear of buying a lawsuit. Secondly, and critically, Intermec is recognizing both the value and proprietary ownership of SMY's MF/MP tehcnology. In other words, companies can buy SMY's MF/MP technology from either SMY or Intermec without fear of a law suit, no one else. So folks, it appears to me that Cliff has taken his first step in asserting SMY's IP.
This is far more important than appears at first sight! Great news, though there are miles to go before we sleep.