Acticon Technologies LLC Licenses Four Smart Connector Patents to Socket Communications, Inc.

Business Editors

SUFFERN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

General Patent Corporation, an IP Management Firm,

Represents Acticon in the Transaction

Acticon Technologies LLC has licensed four patents to Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT, PSE: SOK), a Newark, CA vendor of plug-in connection I/O cards for mobile computers. The non-exclusive license covers four Acticon "smart connector" patents protecting aspects of I/O PC cards and other communications devices. Acticon Technologies of Monsey, NY is a subsidiary and a client of General Patent Corporation, an intellectual property management firm, which represented Acticon in the transaction.

"We are delighted to secure another licensee for Acticon Technologies," said Alexander Poltorak, GPC's chairman and CEO. "Socket and its management respect the IP rights of others. We were happy to offer Acticon's license under `most favorable' terms, and will continue to reward companies that respect the proprietary rights of our clients with favorable licensing terms."

Among other companies previously granted licenses on this patented technology are IBM, Motorola, 3Com, Xircom, Conexant, Boca Research, ActionTec and Zoom Telephonics. GPC has successfully represented Acticon in 18 licensing transactions.

"Socket is pleased to license these patents from Acticon Technologies," said David Dunlap, Socket's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We feel that the license will strengthen Socket's IP portfolio, which has helped position Socket as a leader in the mobile connection products marketplace."

Acticon Technologies LLC is an IP holding company based in Monsey, NY. Acticon's award-winning smart connector technology is based on U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,320 ("Connector Interface"), 4,686,506 ("Multiple Connector Interface"), 4,972,470 ("Programmable Connector") and 4,543,450 ("Integrated Connector and Modem").

About General Patent Corporation

General Patent Corporation (GPC) is an intellectual property management firm headquartered in Suffern, NY. GPC provides IP analysis and strategy to domestic and foreign businesses, universities, research institutions and inventors. Client services include patent licensing and enforcement, IP portfolio audit and valuation, IP portfolio management, and technology transfer.

For further information on GPC contact General Patent Corporation, Montebello Park, 75 Montebello Road, Suffern, NY 10901-3740; telephone: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail] or visit www.patentclaim.com.

About Socket Communications

Socket Communications, Inc. develops and sells connection products for Windows-powered computers and other devices. Socket's products include the Battery Friendly(R) family of plug-in cards for enhancing mobile computers by adding wireless Internet connectivity, networking, bar code scanning, and data communication. Socket's products utilize the Company's low-power chip technology, making them ideal for battery-operated mobile computers. Socket is an Associate member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and is developing products that will add Bluetooth wireless technology to handheld computers, notebooks and other electronic appliances. Information about Socket's complete range of products is available on the Company's web site at http://www.socketcom.com/prodinfo.htm.