Agreement to Ease Integration of Biometric Signature Verification into Mobile Phones

 VANCOUVER, Wash.--Nov. 8, 2004--Wacom today announced that Softpro, the leading vendor of verification systems for handwritten signatures, has joined its Dynamic Signature Initiative, which aims to deliver secure, signature-based mobile commerce. The mobile payments market is estimated to be worth $20 billion by 2005 (source Arc Group, March 2003).

By combining Wacom's Penabled(TM) pen-based interface technology and Softpro's handwriting verification system, mobile handset manufacturers and operators will benefit from a complete solution for capturing and automatically authenticating a biometric signature to enable the secure authorization of mobile transactions.

Penabled technology allows the capture of not only the static but also the dynamic parameters of signatures, such as the speed of writing, pressure applied, letter shape and the rhythm of the writing process. This allows the creation of a 3D representation of a signature that is unique to each user.

This signature is then analyzed by Softpro's unique verification technology in order to eliminate the risk of forgery and therefore fraudulent transactions. The technology is already being used by major companies, including banks, for creating biometric signatures using Wacom graphics tablets and Tablet PCs. Softpro recently won Microsoft's Tablet PC Challenge in Germany.

"Using your signature to secure mobile commerce is straightforward, simple and popular with consumers," said Masahiko Yamada, President and CEO Wacom. "Working with Softpro as part of the Dynamic Signature Initiative enables us to create legally binding digital biometric signatures that will cut fraud and accelerate the adoption of m-commerce."

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with Wacom by joining the Dynamic Signature Initiative," said Frank Fuchs, Managing Director and CTO of Softpro. "The combination of Wacom's Penabled technology and our unique verification and authentication technology delivers an all-in-one biometric signature solution for both operators and handset manufacturers with a proven record in the Tablet PC environment."

Globally, governments are increasingly introducing new measures to combat fraud. For example, European Union laws concerning advanced electronic signatures require the 'unique' identification of a user. This can best be achieved through biometric features, such as a signature, rather than PIN codes that fail to guarantee security as they can be stolen or verbally transferred. Biometric signature systems also offer a higher security and convenience level than those based on physiological features, such as an eye, a face or fingerprints.

Softpro has defined a set of quality criteria for capturing signatures with digitizing instruments. A proper comparison of static signature characteristics and dynamic signature signals requires a digitizing instrument that is taking a sufficient amount of time signals. It also has to be able to differentiate between various pressure levels and to provide an appropriate resolution rate. Wacom's Penabled technology fulfills all these requirements, which are also reflected in the upcoming standard for the interchange of biometric signature data, which is currently in draft stage (ISO/IEC WD 19794-7).

Dynamic signature recognition is an integral part of Wacom's Penabled technology, which provides mobile phone users with the capability to write personalized messages, make drawings, access two levels of zooming, and perform faster navigation without having to scroll multiple menus. Additionally, Penabled devices are more durable and offer better color transmission, pressure sensitivity, increased input area and precise input control than existing resistive touch systems.

Wacom Components is already a Symbian Platinum Partner and is working closely with Symbian on the development of small form factor sizes for all Symbian platforms, including Series 60.

About Wacom

Wacom is best known for having introduced the world's first cordless, battery-free, pressure-sensitive pen in America in 1989. Wacom Co., Ltd., a worldwide corporation, is headquartered in Japan. It operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Wacom Technology Corp., Vancouver, WA; Wacom Europe GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany; and Wacom Components of Europe, Cambridge, UK.

Wacom and Penabled are both registered trademarks of Wacom Co., Ltd. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About SOFTPRO

SOFTPRO is based in Boeblingen, Germany and has local subsidiaries for the North American and Asian-Pacific market in Newark (Delaware) and Singapore. The group currently employs an international staff of over 60.

SOFTPRO is the leading vendor of systems for the verification of handwritten signatures, worldwide. The company's portfolio contains solutions for authentication processes and documents. Therefore static and dynamic (biometric) characteristics of signatures are extracted and evaluated.

More than 200 companies are using modules of the SOFTPRO SignPlus(R) system successfully such as American Express, ABN Amro, Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, DaimlerChrysler, Discover Financial, HypoVereinsbank, Lloyds TSB, Mercedes-AMG and SEB.

www.signature-verification.com

For more information about SOFTPRO please contact:

SOFTPRO - Software Professional GmbH & Co. KG
Joerg-M. Lenz
Public Relations Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Wilhelmstrasse 34
71034 Boeblingen
Germany
Phone: + 49 (0) 7031 66 06 - 55
Fax: + 49 (0) 7031 66 06 - 66