Biometric group sues Microsoft, IBM alleging patent infringement

A Utah-based company, International Automated Systems Inc., has said that it was suing Microsoft, IBM and "others" for alleged patent infringements related to its biometric technology.

The Utah company said it had engaged independent experts to assess its automated biometric patent with regard to other biometric technologies.

"IAUS has recently instituted patent infringement lawsuits against a number of companies, including Microsoft, IBM, and others, for allegedly violating IAUS's automated biometric identification patent," IAUS said in a statement.

Neither Microsoft or IBM could initially be reached for comment on the suits.

IAUS claims to be a "pioneer" in the field of biometric technology. It said it has developed technology for fingerprint, hand and retina sensing technology.

Some of its biometric data can be stored in a digital file, some of which are small enough to fit onto the magnetic strip of a credit card.

Commerical interest in biometric technologies soared after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, and many foreign visitors to the United States now have to submit to biometric fingerprint scans.

IAUS was founded in 1988 by a former AT and T engineer and has energy, communications and consumer purchasing clients, according to its statement.

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