The U.S. government has settled an infringement case with Leighton Technologies by agreeing to license its smart cards.

Leighton Technologies, a subsidiary of General Patent, filed a case against the federal government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in January 2010. Leighton alleged that 54 federal agencies used its six smart card patents without authorization. Leighton’s technology was also used in e-passports.

Leighton amended its claim in December 2010 to include an allegation that the government inappropriately used and manufactured cards with processes covered by two Leighton-held patents.

Over the last two years Leighton has won a number of settlements with regards to government contractors using its technology without a license.

Terms of the settlement with the federal government were not disclosed.