Microsoft gets amicable in biometrics name fight

Microsoft and biometrics company Artemis Solutions Group have ended their legal wrangling over a trademark.

The two firms have announced a settlement over the use of the brand 'BioCert', after Artemis filed a trademark infringement suit against the Redmond giant. Artemis alleged at the time that Microsoft had "wilfully and deliberately" infringed its trademark.

Artemis first registered the trademark BioCert for its biometric authentication products in March 2004. In July of this year, Microsoft's then newly formed Intellectual Property Ventures division unveiled its BioCert technology - a biometric identity authorisation and authentication product.

Microsoft has now changed the name of its BioCert product to Microsoft Biometric ID.

The pair have concluded the dispute "amicably", according to Microsoft.

The details of the settlement have not been disclosed. However, under the agreement Artemis will retain rights to the trademark and Artemis will drop its suit against the software giant.