WLAN technology wins award

The CSIRO inventors behind the WLAN technology have won the European Inventor Award.The organisation invented and patented wireless LAN technology in the 1990s.

WLAN technology is used in offices, public buildings, homes and coffee shops - often called ‘Wi-Fi hotspots’ - connecting to products such as phones, televisions, cameras, laptops, printers, routers and games consoles.

The awards were announced at a ceremony in Copenhagen on 14 June.

Inventors Dr O’Sullivan and Dr Percival attended the event at the Royal Danish Playhouse, along with the Danish Crown Prince and Princess, around 350 economic and political decision-makers, researchers, scientists and intellectual property specialists.

“CSIRO’s technology is now estimated to be in more than three billion devices around the world, so it’s a truly global technology that has now received global recognition,” Minister for Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans said.

“Congratulations to Dr John O’Sullivan, Dr Terry Percival, Mr Diet Ostry, Mr Graham Daniels and Mr John Deane on winning this prestigious international award.

“This is the first time an Australian team has won this award and this is wonderful recognition for a technology that has changed our lives.”

European Patent Office president Benoit Battistelli said: “The work completed by Dr O’Sullivan and his team perfectly demonstrates how a publicly funded research centre can use patent protection and licensing revenue to finance further innovation.”