Fargo Electronics Receives Favorable Notice From People's Republic of China Patent and Trademark Office For Printer Ribbon Identification Sensor.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) today announced that it has received a notice that the People's Republic of China Patent and Trademark Office intends to grant a patent for Fargo's Printer Ribbon Identification Sensor, which has been referred to as the pin core patent, U.S. Patent 5,755,519. Fargo Electronics is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of desktop systems that personalize plastic identification cards for physical, information and transaction security.

The announcement came at CARTES 2001, the international forum for smart card technologies and secure applications. More than 400 exhibitors, 13,500 visitors from 110 countries and 1,500 Congress participants will attend CARTES at CNIT Paris la Defense.

"The pin core patent covers technology which assures that the proper ribbon is installed in Fargo printers," said Jeffrey D. Upin, Fargo's General Counsel. "Sensors in each Fargo printer detect specific configurations of small metal pins in the core of each dye-sublimation, resin, or overlaminate ribbon, preventing installation or usage of any incorrect ribbon."

"This patent, when issued, will add to our strong and growing intellectual property portfolio. It further protects Fargo's proprietary designs, and demonstrates our continued industry leadership in innovations which benefit the end user," Upin said. "It will protect Fargo's proprietary supplies in the People's Republic of China, and other Asian countries. We are very pleased with the notice, which will offer our product lines and distribution partners additional competitive strength."

"Fargo has been granted 17 U.S. patents and has over 50 patent applications pending, related to specific card printer technology such as lamination, card flipping, ribbon technology, High Definition Printing(TM), dual input hoppers and output stackers. Our ability to bring such ideas to the card personalization market gives end users greater flexibility and leads ultimately to Fargo's strength and growth in the marketplace," Upin said.

About Fargo

Fargo Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRGO) is the world's leader in innovative technologies for desktop plastic card personalization systems. Based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Fargo printing systems create personalized plastic identification cards complete with digital images and text, lamination, and electronically encoded information.

Personalized identification cards provide physical, information and transaction security for a wide variety of applications including retail stores, e-commerce, government installations, schools, sports and recreation facilities, clubs and associations, and correctional facilities. More than 50,000 Fargo systems are currently installed throughout the U.S. and in over 100 other countries. For more information, visit Fargo's Web site at http://www.fargo.com.