NEUHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND- Tyco (www.tyco.com, www.tycois.com and www.tycoretailsolutions.com), a leading provider of retail performance and security solutions, today announced it has filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) addressing the importation of infringing products from Chinese manufacturer Ningbo Signatronic Technologies, LLC (Ningbo), and others. The complaint, filed jointly by Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (TFSG) and its Sensormatic Electronics, LLC (Sensormatic) and Tyco Integrated Security, LLC (TIS) businesses, seeks an Exclusion Order to prevent the importation of certain acousto-magnetic (AM) electronic article surveillance (EAS) products. Tyco asserts that Ningbo products infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 5,729,200 ('200 patent) and 6,181,245 ('245 patent). Additionally, Tyco seeks a permanent Cease and Desist Order against Ningbo and its U.S. distributors, including ALL-TAG Securities, Best Security Industries, and Signatronic Corporation, addressing infringing products already in the United States. Tyco has also filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida that will enable the pursuit of monetary damages for infringing labels sold in the U.S.
Tyco's complaint against Ningbo is related to AM labels designed to prevent theft in retail stores by triggering an alarm when live labels pass through Tyco's Sensormatic brand AM electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems. Tyco's complaint asserts that these Ningbo labels infringe the company's '200 and '245 patents. The complaint is aimed at promoting the U.S. public interest by protecting Tyco's intellectual property rights and the associated domestic industry. Furthermore, the complaint will help protect the value of its leading Sensormatic brand, since infringing products may not perform to the quality standards of authentic Sensormatic AM labels.
Nancy Chisholm, Vice President and General Manager of Tyco Retail Solutions, further explained the company's position. "Our genuine Sensormatic AM labels are an integral part of Sensormatic anti-shoplifting systems, which retailers have trusted for nearly 50 years. Consistently high label quality is required to ensure effective theft deterrence at the store front, to assure proper deactivation at the point of sale, and to provide a positive store experience for honest shoppers. Sensormatic AM labels were designed for optimal performance with our detection and deactivation systems. Introducing non-Sensormatic labels may compromise the performance of and associated loyalty to our Sensormatic brand."
Tyco pioneered the EAS anti-shoplifting industry through its Sensormatic brand and continues to invest significant research and development resources to innovate these products. More than five billion products are effectively protected by Sensormatic brand AM labels each year. Tyco also provides a complete portfolio of high-technology Sensormatic security and store performance systems that allow retailers to better manage their inventories, shopper activity, employees and facilities.
