STIP Consortium and GlobalPlatform to Consolidate

27 April 2004 – The Boards of GlobalPlatform and the Small Terminal Interoperability Platform (STIP) Consortium have confirmed that the two organizations are formally consolidating their work to develop interoperable standards for smart card acceptance devices.

An asset transfer, that will assign ownership of the STIP Specifications and related intellectual property (IP) to GlobalPlatform, will take place in May 2004.

As a result of the asset transfer, the GlobalPlatform Device Committee will become responsible for maintaining, developing and promoting the STIP Specifications which, together with GlobalPlatform technology, define an interoperable software platform that facilitates the development and management of applications on acceptance devices.

Subsequently, a new ‘Mobile’ Working Group will be formed within the GlobalPlatform Device Committee, to promote and drive adoption of STIP technology within the mobile telecommunications sector.

An additional outcome of the asset transfer will be the creation of two strategic director positions on the Board of GlobalPlatform, responsible for championing the promotion of GlobalPlatform (incorporating STIP) technology in the mobile and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFT-POS) industry and reciprocally representing these industries on the Board of GlobalPlatform.

The decision to formally integrate the operations, administration and membership of the two industry bodies, which have worked together closely since 2001, was taken to improve communication and avoid any legal complications which may arise due to joint IP ownership.

Paul Billon from Axalto, who currently chairs both the STIP Consortium and the GlobalPlatform Device Committee, comments: “The decision to transfer the assets of the STIP Consortium to GlobalPlatform has my full support. Over the years, the synergy between the aims of the STIP Consortium and the work of the GlobalPlatform Device Committee has led both organizations to grow ever closer in their joint efforts to develop specifications for smart card acceptance devices. The work of the STIP Consortium is now integral to that of the GlobalPlatform Device Committee and, as such, it makes perfect sense to fuse the identity of the STIP Consortium with that of GlobalPlatform.”

GlobalPlatform Chair, Bob Beer from Datacard Group, adds: “This asset transfer has been warmly welcomed by the Board of GlobalPlatform. We aim to maximize the efficiency of our efforts and expedite the development of interoperable technical standards for smart card acceptance devices.”

GlobalPlatform and the STIP Consortium have worked together since 2001 and during that time the organizations have jointly developed a comprehensive specification for smart card acceptance devices. This has resulted in the convergence to a single Application Programming Interface (API) providing a new standard that simplifies deployment of multi-application smart card devices.

As a result of these collaborative efforts, STIP technology is the basis of the GlobalPlatform Device (GPD) Framework. This technology is currently implemented on a number of EFT-POS terminals from various global manufacturers.

For further information on GlobalPlatform, please visit www.globalplatform.org

-ENDS-

For media information or to arrange an interview with Jean Paul Billon please contact Chrissie Green or Lee’ann Connell at Sinclair Mason on Tel: + 44 (0) 870 606 0960 or e-mail: chrissieg@sinclairmason.com or leeannc@sinclairmason.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About GlobalPlatform

GlobalPlatform is the global leader in smart card infrastructure development and its proven, technical specifications for cards, devices and systems are known as the standard for smart card infrastructure. GlobalPlatform has over 50 cross-industry members with representation from all world continents. www.globalplatform.org

About the STIP Consortium The STIP Consortium was incorporated in March 2000 to develop an interoperable software platform specification for secure transaction devices, including, but not limited to, card accepting devices. The Consortium originated from the Java Card Forum. The members of the STIP Consortium are key players within the global EFT-POS industry and in the mobile telecoms industry. The STIP Consortium has developed two specific profiles for each of these industries based on the common GPD/STIP technology. www.stip.org