WALL, N.J., Aug. 29 -- BIO-key International, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: BKYI) , 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(R) 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.
