FlashPath
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FlashPath (FlashPath Floppy Disk Adapter) is a name for a series of devices produced by SmartDisk that allow a variety of memory cards to be used in a 3.5" Floppy disk drive. A milestone of 1 million adapters sold was reached in 1999. The initial version introduced in May 1998 allowed SmartMedia cards to be used with a floppy drive. Later, Memory Stick and Secure Digital/Multi Media Card versions were made as well. FlashPath adapters were sold not just by SmartDisk, but under a variety of brand names. The FlashPath logo would still be on other makers' devices.
SmartDisk was sued by PC Connector Solutions, LLC over alleged U.S. patent infringement by SmartDisk's Smarty and FlashPath products in 2000. However, the court ruled in favor of SmartDisk; a final ruling was made in 2005.
In a quote from a press release on the SmartDisk website, Michael S. Battaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer of SmartDisk said, "We are pleased that the Court has agreed with SmartDisk that there was no infringement by our products. The Court of Appeals decision, upholding the District Court's Summary Judgment ruling of December 2003, finally resolves the legal issue between the parties."
The FlashPath adapters have declined in popularity, but are still available from many retailers.
