Large Retailers Agree to License Automated Prescription Refill System

LOS ANGELES — Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing here announced yesterday the settlement of patent litigation between itself and Safeway, Wal-Mart Stores and Target. As part of the settlement, the retailers have agreed to pay an undisclosed sum for a nonexclusive license under a comprehensive portfolio of patents that Katz owns relating to interactive voice applications, including automated prescription refill orders. Walgreens entered into a similar agreement. Supervalu, Minneapolis, has also purchased a license under the Katz patent portfolio for automated prescription refills. “Many of our leading pharmacies such as Acme, bigg’s, Cub, Osco, Savon, Shop ’n Save, and Supervalu offer ‘Express Prescription Refill’ services or ‘EASYFILL’ services over the phone, which utilize many of the inventions in this portfolio of patents,” said Haley Meyer, corporate communications, Supervalu, in a statement.

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