Donnelley Licenses Patents

CHICAGO—R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company has agreed to license its variable-data imaging method patents to Barco Graphics for worldwide use. Barco uses the licensed patents in products such as VIPDesigner and VIPLine.

VIPDesigner, a script on top of QuarkXPress that assigns and links variable elements with databases, is said to allow efficient production of pages with up to 100% variable content. The patented techniques permit the separation of variable data from static data until the last possible moment before printing, so that the data streams can be created, modified, and proofed independently.

"Digital print technology is one of the fastest-growing trends in our industry. Our technology allows our customers and production staff to take advantage of more effective digital press capabilities," says Jim Warmus, Donnelley's director of strategic technology and lead inventor of the licensed patents.

Adds Mark Dreyer, project engineer and co-inventor of a number of Donnelley digital patents, "We're a pioneer in managing digitized images and text, holding more than 25 issued and pending patents for these emerging technologies. Because we see a promising future in variable-data digital printing, we are committed to helping our customers reap the benefits of 100% variable direct promotions."

Donnelley maintains 115 active patents and numerous licensing agreements.