CATALINA, APT SETTLE SUIT, SET CROSS-LICENSE

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A patent infringement lawsuit brought by Catalina Marketing here against Advanced Promotion Technologies, Pompano Beach, Fla., has been settled out of court and gives rise to a new shared venture between both parties.

ed to cross-license their patents and cross-distribute their products in an effort to secure a larger share of the consumer promotion market.

Catalina's product, the Catalina Marketing Network, automatically dispenses coupons to shoppers at the point of sale. APT's product, the Vision Value Network, dispenses coupons from shopper-activated terminals in the checklane.

"It was important to validate our patents, and now we can invest funds set aside for legal expenses to advance electronic marketing," said George Off, president and chief executive officer at Catalina.

Calling the agreement a "mutually beneficial opportunity," APT president Robert Wientzen said, "We are especially encouraged about the prospect of working together with our retail and manufacturer customers."