NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vringo, Inc. (NYSE Amex: VRNG), a provider of software platforms for mobile social and video applications, today announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the European Patent Office (EPO) for the company's first international patent covering aspects of its mobile video and mobile personalization technologies.
Vringo's notice of allowance from the EPO relates to the expansion of patent no. 8,041,401 issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, entitled "Personalization Content Sharing System and Method." This international patent, when granted by the EPO, will have potential jurisdiction in approximately 39 countries in the EU.
"We are extremely pleased to have received our first International notice of allowance, which we anticipate will result in our first issued patent outside of the United States," said Andrew Perlman President of Vringo. "Our technology seeks to significantly enhance the core functionality that is at the heart of all cell phones – the phone call itself. Vringo believes this patent will provide additional protection for our video ringtone intellectual property and our other applications for personalizing the mobile experience for our loyal customers world-wide. We believe this patent will provide us with a competitive advantage as we continue to expand our core mobile video technology in Europe and emerging markets around the globe."
Vringo developed its core intellectual property and started filing its initial patent applications approximately six years ago, before much of the world was aware of the vast market potential for mobile applications. Since its inception, Vringo has filed over 20 patent applications in the U.S. and around the world.
Vringo's three previously issued patents are U.S. Patent No. 8,041,401, issued on October 18, 2011, U.S. Patent No. 7,761,816, issued on July 20, 2010, and U.S. Patent No. 7,877,746, issued on January 25, 2011. These patents cover the core features of Vringo's video ringtone sharing capabilities, and the personalization of standard compiled and signed software application downloads.
Vringo expects the EPO will issue the patent in the next 6 months. The patent will expire no earlier than January of 2027.
About Vringo
Vringo (NYSE Amex: VRNG) is a provider of software platforms for mobile social and video applications. With its award-winning video ringtone application and other mobile software platforms - including Facetones™, Video Remix and Fan Loyalty - Vringo transforms the basic act of making and receiving mobile phone calls into a highly visual, social experience. Vringo's video ringtone service enables users to create or take video, images and slideshows from virtually anywhere and turn it into their visual call signature. In a first for the mobile industry, Vringo has introduced its patented VringForward technology, which allows users to share video clips with friends with a simple call. Vringo's Facetones™ application creates an automated video slideshow using friends' photos from social media web sites, which is played each time a user communicates with a friend using a mobile device. Vringo's Video ReMix application, in partnership with music artists and brands, allows users to create their own music video by tapping on a Smartphone or tablet. Lastly, Fan Loyalty is a platform that lets users interact, vote and communicate with contestants in reality TV series that it partners with, as well as downloading and setting clips from such shows as video ringtones. Vringo's video ringtone application has been heralded by The New York Times as "the next big thing in ringtones" and USA Today said it has "to be seen to be believed." For more information, visit: www.vringo.com
For comprehensive investor relations material, including fact sheets, white papers, conference calls and video regarding Vringo and its applications, please follow the appropriate link: Investor Portal, White Paper, Overview Video and Facetones™ Video.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should," "seeks," "future," "continue," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: our ability to raise capital to fund our operations, the continued listing of our securities on the NYSE Amex, market acceptance of our products, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, competition from other providers and products and other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Vringo expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts:
Investor Contact:
Vringo, Inc.
Cliff Weinstein, VP Corporate Development
646-794-4226
cliff@vringo.com
Media Contact:
The Hodges Partnership
Caroline Platt & Stacey Brucia
804-788-1414
VringoPR@hodgespart.com
Financial Communications:
Trilogy Capital Partners, Inc.
Darren Minton, President
Toll-free: 800-592-6067
info@trilogy-capital.com
SOURCE Vringo, Inc.
