Affinion Loyalty Group Announces Settlement of Patent Infringement Claim Against Maritz Inc.

    RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Affinion Loyalty
 Group (ALG), a pioneer in the loyalty industry, announced today that it has
 settled its patent litigation with Maritz Inc. In conjunction with the
 settlement, ALG has agreed to dismiss its patent infringement lawsuit filed
 in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware relating to ALG's
 portfolio of patents that broadly cover online incentive programs. As part
 of the settlement, ALG has granted Maritz a royalty-bearing, non-exclusive
 license for its online incentive program patents. The financial terms of
 the settlement were not disclosed.
     As previously announced, ALG acquired the rights to all of Netcentives'
 patents relating to online incentive programs. ALG expects to continue to
 pursue additional license agreements with interested entities.
     "We are please to have reached a favorable settlement in this
 litigation relating to our patent rights," said ALG President Marti Beller.
 "ALG is committed to protecting its valuable patent portfolio and
 intellectual property and we believe the Netcentives patents are pioneering
 patents in the online loyalty space."
     About Affinion Loyalty Group
     For 25 years, ALG has been a pioneer in the loyalty industry, having
 developed groundbreaking products that are now found in nearly every wallet
 in America. From private-label rewards programs to time- and money-saving
 products, ALG offers a full range of customized solutions to businesses in
 a diverse array of industries, each designed for converting customers into
 fans.
     As a leader in innovation, ALG is defined by an uncommon dedication to
 its clients, and has delivered compelling results to more than 175
 high-profile companies in the form of increased loyalty, competitive
 differentiation, savings on commodity products, and overall improved
 profitability.
     Visit http://www.affinionloyalty.com for more information.
     ALG is the loyalty marketing division of Affinion Group, a leader in
 the membership, insurance, value added checking and loyalty marketing
 businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of
 millions of Americans.
 
 

SOURCE Affinion Loyalty Group