Organizations of all types value their intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets) among their most valuable assets. Some experts have suggested that intellectual property accounts for as much as 80% of the S&P 500's value. Typically, these assets are used to help an organization achieve its strategic and financial goals by providing competitive advantages.

CMAF owns United States Patent 6,182,894, ("'894 Patent") which was issued on February 6, 2001. CMAF views the '894 Patent as an asset that should be used to help fulfill its mission.

The '894 Patent discloses additional fraud protections for merchants, consumers and the issuing financial institution through the use of a card identification code ("CID code"). Instead of a PIN which is associated with an account and provides access to an account, a card identification code, which is located on the card but does not provide automatic access to an account, is used to verify that the consumer currently possesses the transaction card at the time of purchase and/or is the true card owner.

CMAF is committed to using the '894 Patent to further the security of consumer and merchant payment transactions. CMAF also welcomes donations of intellectual property from companies that want to support the mission of the Foundation. Please contact CMAF if there is an interest in exploring a donation that may be tax deductible to the donating organization.