Wan Ho/UGT and The Graphics Fusion Company Announce U.S. Patent Grant and Rights Assignment

U.S. Subsidiary Assigned Patent Rights on World's Thinnest Graphic Transfers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 15 -- The Graphics Fusion Company Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Wan Ho/UGT, has been assigned certain rights pertaining to the patent previously granted by the U.S. Patent Office covering the fundamental technologies used in its NanoStrate(TM)-based graphic transfers.

The patent covers the fundamental technologies used in the manufacture and application of a wide range of graphic transfers and the materials and processes used. Specifically, the patents cover the applications to a number of materials including metals, plastics, glass-like surfaces, and wood.

Transfers developed and manufactured by Wan Ho/UGT are now being used on products marketed in numerous industries including toys and sporting goods. Patents already granted internationally are currently being processed by the U.S. Trademark Office. "There are a total of 35 patents in one form or another that cover the NanoStrate(TM)-based transfers," said Jeff Dubrow, vice president of operations for Graphics Fusion. "Eventually, we anticipate the intellectual property covered under all of these patents to be granted in the U.S. as well."

With the assignment of certain rights under the patents, The Graphics Fusion Company assumes responsibility for defending the patents in the U.S. market.

The evolutionary product of these patents is the world's thinnest graphic transfer substrate called NanoStrate(TM). The Graphics Fusion Company is currently developing and marketing NanoStrate(TM)-based transfers in a new generation of products, marketed to the automotive aftermarket. The transfers, as thin as a human hair, and as durable as the paint to which they are applied, provide unique consumer benefits not possible with competing technologies.

NanoStrate(TM)-based transfers are only 25 microns thin, similar to a coat of paint, while die-cut vinyl decals are seven times thicker -- typically a minimum of 150 microns. NanoStrate(TM)-based graphic transfers consist of several polymer layers and inks that are released from a special porous paper by adding water and a catalyst. The results are graphics solutions that combine the best attributes of custom paint and vinyl decals with easy application.

"We are aware of a number of companies operating in the U.S. that are marketing products using transfers that violate these patent rights," said Dubrow. "In many cases, they may not be aware that they are in violation. Our objectives are threefold: to end the use of the knock-off products, to develop a conforming product for their use and to protect the value that our existing customers have enjoyed through their use of our transfer technology."

Graphics Fusion believes that most of the violating companies will respond positively to this non-punitive approach and will be contacting these firms prior to the New York Toy Fair in February before they meet with their key buyers.

The Graphics Fusion Company, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, was formed in 2005 to commercialize the materials and products in North America developed by Wan Ho/UGT Holdings in Hong Kong. The patented polymer material, NanoStrate(TM), has significant application in the transportation, home improvement and consumer industries and will be sold through OEM and retail channels. For more information, please visit http://www.graphicsfusion.com/.

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.