QR Code Use Without Licensing Fees

John Battles
John Battles used Ask the Experts™
on
We created a QR Code to direct consumers to a "find the right fit" website, for our product. We created it via a 3rd party provider. Months later, we the were notified that we are infringing on a NEOMEDIA patent. The process we are infringing on is the "redirect", where once the scan is performed, it is tallied on a host site, then redirected to our site.  NEOMEDIA says we need to pay for that, they own the redirect "process".

My question is...does anyone know how I can create a QR code, that goes directly to the URL I define, without a redirect, that I do not have to license or worry about getting sued over ?  Seems easy, I know...but I just want to be 100% sure I am safe.  I'd appreciate any advice in the matter.
Comment
Watch Question

Do more with

Expert Office
EXPERT OFFICE® is a registered trademark of EXPERTS EXCHANGE®
View Solution Only
Randy Poole

Commented:
Do you have a copy of this patent or the patent number that they are referring to?
John BattlesDirector of IT

Author

Commented:
Randy - The article you referenced is the jist of what Neomedia is saying to us. I have looked at qr-code-generator.com and it looks like they employ the same "grab-scan,log it- then redirect" process I am looking to avoid.
Build an E-Commerce Site with Angular 5

Learn how to build an E-Commerce site with Angular 5, a JavaScript framework used by developers to build web, desktop, and mobile applications.

Enroll Today!
Randy Poole

Commented:
The QRcode generated has the url encoded within the symbol itself. It is not using a redirect site such as tinyurl to get to the end server. The phone or whichever reader is being used is deciphering the graphic and pulling out the url.
John BattlesDirector of IT

Author

Commented:
I understand that, but the "free" one is said to be for non-profit or individual use, not commercial. We would then need to set up an account with them and that is where I believe they add the tracking prefix in the code. (unsure about this). I suppose I should call them to verify ?  With the other 3rd party, the "free" account had the tracking feature built in.
Paul SauvéRetired

Commented:
This site seems to be free for a basic QR Code: QR Code Generator. However a dynamic QR code requires a subscription.
Dan CraciunIT Consultant

Commented:
I use http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/.
They don't use an URL shortening service, just generate a code with whatever URL you provide it.

HTH,
Dan
John BattlesDirector of IT

Author

Commented:
I think I am getting a consensus, that as long as I don't use any url shortening service or scan tracking, I am safe from infringing on NEOMEDIA process. If I create a QR code that directly links to my intended URL, I am free from claims. Agree ?

Do more with

Expert Office
Submit tech questions to Ask the Experts™ at any time to receive solutions, advice, and new ideas from leading industry professionals.

Start 7-Day Free Trial