Sospita Chosen by Atmel and Gemplus to Demonstrate Advanced Smart Card Microcontroller Technology With Full-Speed USB Communication

LAS VEGAS, CardTech/SecurTech, May 16 /PRNewswire/ –Norway-based Sospita (http://www.sospita.com) has partnered with worldwide smart card technology leaders Atmel (Nasdaq: ATML) and Gemplus (Nasdaq: GEMP) to demonstrate its patented Software License Protection technology at the CardTech/SecurTech conference and exhibition (http://www.ct-ctst.com) in booth #3240.

Targeted at the high-end software development industry, Sospita’s software license protection system decrypts and executes encrypted code in an external tamper-proof environment, such as a smart card or USB token without the user ever being able to view the code.

According to the Software and Industry Information Association, about 25 percent of software worldwide is pirated. Susan Lee Silbo, CEO for Sospita, said the Software License Protection technology gives governments, institutions and organizations, as well as software development companies a powerful new tool against software piracy.

“We’re addressing a global problem with software piracy with a simple, cost-effective solution that can be implemented in-house and deployed and managed online,” said Silbo. “While others have been promising such technology, Sospita is now marketing a development kit with a level of protection against illegal copies that no one else can match.”

Sospita has the distinction of being chosen from more than 100 technology partners to use its software license protection to demonstrate the new generation, full-speed USB smart card from Gemplus (http://www.gemplus.com/usb). Sospita License Protection is enabled by an AT90SC6464C-USB secure microcontroller from Atmel, providing high performance and ultra high security that is cost-efficient and easy to use.

The Sospita Development Kit enables developers to write and debug software applications using an ordinary compiler and debugging tools. Sections of code are then marked for encryption and can only be executed by end users on a secure smart card or USB token attached to the computer. Sospita License Protection includes the Sospita Development Kit, Runtime System, Secure Token, Software Token, License Manager, License Manager Pro and Sospita Production Services for large scale token production and deployment.

Sospita License Protection targets independent software vendors (ISVs), government agencies and institutions. The company’s focus is on the North American and Nordic markets with an emphasis on gaining U.S. strategic partners.

About Sospita

Founded in Norway in 1995 under the name Protective Technology, Sospita (http://www.sospita.com) provides the software industry and its users with software license protection based on tamper proof devices (e.g. smart card or token). The company goal is to protect intellectual property owners from losses associated with software piracy, by offering cost-effective and flexible licensing solutions with an unparalleled level of security. Sospita’s core technology is patented in the USA, as well as internationally. As part of its USA initiative, Sospita is the first Norwegian member of the SIIA (Software and Information Industry Association), which has software piracy high on its agenda.

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, bipolar SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

About Gemplus

Gemplus (http://www.gemplus.com) is the world’s leading smart card solutions provider, employing more than 7800 people in 37 countries worldwide. Since its creation in 1988, Gemplus International S.A. (Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and Nasdaq: GEMP) has driven the global marketing and deployment of smart card- based applications for telecommunications, financial services and e-business security. Gemplus technology has played a defining role in the development of wireless telephony since the introduction of SIM cards into the GSM standard in 1990. For more than a decade, Gemplus has pioneered applications that enable network operators around the world to answer the changing needs of their customers. Gemplus was first to market with a 3G card and supplies a product range compliant with new and emerging transmission standards — 2.5G, 3G. Since 11 December 2000, Gemplus shares have been trading on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on Nasdaq in the form of ADSs.

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements often can be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These factors include adverse economic conditions, entry of new and stronger competitors, inadequate capital, unexpected costs, failure to gain product approval in other countries, failure to capitalize upon access to new markets, or the possibility that a competitor will develop a more comprehensive or less expensive solution and delays in market awareness.

All brand and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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