Last year we informed you how to generate QR codes so that you don’t infringe on any patents. So again this year we want to remind you how to create a legal QR code. But first a little background. If you are going to add a QR Code in your catalog, it’s possible that you could become a target of patent trolls! The costs of defending your company can mount quickly to the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Don’t become another victim of patent troll tactics … Dingley will help you learn how to use QR codes without hassle or worry. It’s actually really easy.

dingley qr code “A patent troll is a person or company that attempts to enforce patent rights against accused infringers far beyond the patent’s actual value or contribution to the prior art. Patent trolls often do not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question.”

Basically patent trolls are lawyers who buy patents that they believe can help them extort money from people or businesses. One such patent is US Patent 6,199,048 “System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network” and US Patent 8,131,597 “System and method for using an ordinary article of commerce to access a remote computer”. So what does all this mean in laymen terms? If you have a dynamic QR code, one that uses an URL shortener, you are probably infringing upon these patents. See below for some URL examples…

Good … http://www.yoururl.com/products/clearance

Bad … http://goo.gl/rzozgv or http://sfkes.bitly (these are using an URL Shortener)

Companies are fighting back by petitioning congress to stop these patent trolls from using low quality patents to extort money from legitimate businesses. Until legislation is passed, you can avoid this altogether by creating QR codes that are static and that don’t use an URL shortener. If you’re not sure if your QR code was generated using an URL shortener send it to us and we’ll test it for you.

For more information please contact your Dingley sales representative.