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Last Updated: October 2025
Patents Filed
Software Activation (1990s)
- Original patent: Dynamic software product registration system
- Used globally by Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk, Symantec
- Enforced successfully against multiple Fortune 500 companies
- Wikipedia: Product Activation
Haventec — Passwordless Authentication
- Filed: 2016-2019
- Technology: Device-based authentication without passwords
- Status: Patents granted, company operating
Wallet Nation — Crypto Merchant Tools
- Filed: 2020-2021
- Technology: Chargeback protection for cryptocurrency payments
- Status: Patents pending, company operating
PersonaOS — Delegated Digital Identity
- Filed: 2021-2022
- Technology: Web3 delegation for minors and elderly
- Status: Patents granted
- Context: Developed for NSW Government Digital Identity initiative
Tokenisation Engine
- Filed: 2024 (PCT)
- Technology: Fractional ownership infrastructure for carbon credits and IP
- Status: International filing in progress
Deadbolt — Ransomware Prevention
- Filed: 2019-2020
- Technology: Pre-encryption attack detection and blocking
- Status: Patents granted, pilot ready
SafeGen — Age Verification
- Filed: 2024-2025
- Technology: Parent-verified age without central data storage
- Status: Patent pending, pilot in development
Total: 40+ patents filed across 7 major inventions
Companies Founded
Uniloc (1992)
- Role: Founder
- Focus: Software activation and anti-piracy
- Outcome: Sold to Fortress Investment Group, became major patent licensing entity
- Notable: $530M jury verdict vs. Microsoft (2009), settled 2012
Haventec (2016)
- Role: Co-founder with Tony Castagna
- Focus: Eliminate passwords with device-based authentication
- Backed by: Macquarie Capital
- Status: Operating, clients in finance and government
- Website: haventec.com
Wallet Nation (2020)
- Role: Co-founder with Angela Clark (ex-CBA)
- Focus: Merchant chargeback tools for cryptocurrency
- Technology: Non-smart-contract chargeback mechanism
- Status: Operating
- Website: walletnation.io
R2 Labs (2019)
- Role: Founder
- Focus: Invention factory for Ric's portfolio projects
- Status: Operating, houses SafeGen, Deadbolt, PersonaOS, Tokenisation
Litigation Wins
Microsoft Corporation (2009)
- Verdict: $530M AUD damages awarded by jury
- Issue: Software Activation patent infringement
- Outcome: Settled 2012, terms confidential
- Press: SMH Article
Multiple Fortune 500 Settlements
- Adobe, Autodesk, Symantec, and others
- All confidential settlements
- Software Activation patents enforced successfully
Recognition
NSW Government Digital Identity Advisory Council (2021-present)
- Appointed by Minister Victor Dominello
- Advised on Web3 identity and decentralized systems
- Resulted in PersonaOS invention for delegation
Media Features
- Australian Story: 2 episodes (2009, 2012)
- Wall Street Journal, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, AFR
- International tech press coverage
Wikipedia
- Ric Richardson
- Product Activation
Financial Impact
Estimated value delivered:
- Patent licensing: $500M+ (settled)
- Companies built: 4 active entities
- Technology deployed: 2+ billion devices globally
- Jobs created: 100+ across portfolio companies
Bottom line: Ric invents, protects, validates, then licenses or exits. Track record proves execution at scale.
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