Rolith and Protemics cooperate on new technology
Rolith´s proprietary security labels based on metallic nanostructures are invisible to the human eye and standard inspection equipment but can be revealed using Terahertz microprobe sensors from Protemics. Rolith has developed a new anti-counterfeiting technology, which is not based on optical interrogation (visual or laser-based) or tags. This new principle is based on a minute structural difference in metallic nanostructures fabricated on material surface, which are affecting electrical characteristics. The ID/labels are invisible even on transparent materials like glass or polymer films rendering this technology very attractive for the direct integration into many products as for example smartphones, displays or watches. Rolith and Protemics are now cooperating on the development of custom-specific end-user solutions. For example, one of the most attractive anti-counterfeiting solutions for mobile electronics would be to utilize an invisible Logo integrated into a touch screen display sensor. With this approach the first problem a potential counterfeiter has to face is to discern whether there is a security label or not because the labels cannot be visually seen or otherwise revealed using broadly available equipment. Furthermore, the technological hurdles to circumvent the security protections of this new label technology are hence extremely high. It requires special nanotechnology tools (RML® lithography) as developed by Rolith. Counterfeiting presents a global economical and security problem. Fake pharmaceuticals, foods and beverages pose direct treat to the public health. Fake ID cards and passports are serious problem for governments. The drain on the global economy due to Counterfeited goods and piracy will exceed $US1 trillion dollars by 2015. There is an urgent need for truly covert coding of individual items, to allow for reliable and robust authentication and tracing. This is the area where new technologies should be utilized more to assist brand owners and protect consumers, state the companies.
Research predicts rapid growth in authentication market
Reporterlinker.com announce have published research showing the market for anti-counterfeit, anti-tampering and authentication is projected to record a CAGR of 14.1% from 2014 to 2019. The estimation is a result of new products & technologies launches in the industry, with increase in application of anti-counterfeit in different economies. Authentication technology dominates the market in terms of value and market awareness of new target crops such as alfalfa and canola. The anti-counterfeit market is broadly divided on the basis of application as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and others, for this study. Others include electronics, clothing, consumer goods, entertainment, automotive equipment, and many more. With a huge market potential and growing awareness about counterfeiting, the market is likely to witness considerable growth in the years to come. In 2013, food & beverages acquired the largest share as an application of anti-counterfeit packaging; however, the market for pharmaceutical is projected to grow at the highest rate. Factors such as cost, widening application areas, and innovative techniques are increasing the market for anti-counterfeit industry, globally. Authentication and track & trace are the two major technologies used for avoiding counterfeiting. The various sub-segments of authentication include taggants, holograms, inks & dyes, and even anti-tampering is also considers as a part of authentication, under the scope of the study. On the other side, track and trace includes bar codes and RFID. RFID is expected to grow with the highest rate of more than 20% for the next five years, whereas under authentication hologram is the upcoming technology. An in-depth analysis regarding the usage of technologies across the industries has been undertaken in the study. The growth rate may go higher in the next five years with regular investment in research & development, resulting in innovative technologies that have different applications.
Brady Brand Protection partners with Element Case
A high-end smart phone and tablet accessory innovator is protecting its products and brand with Brady’s product authentication labeling system. The provider of integrated brand protection solutions, announced that its Brand Protection business has created a customized product authentication system to protect Element Case high-end smart phone and tablet accessories from counterfeiting. The solution features complex, securely designed labels that can be scanned for authenticity by any smart phone equipped with a publicly available barcode-reading app. External labels on product packaging are matched with internal labels inside the product’s frame, providing instant digital authentication. Brady integrated HP’s Global Product Authentication Service (GPAS) into the solution, allowing Element Case customers and supply chain partners to instantly validate if a product is genuine.
Schreiner ProSecure offers complete authentication
Schreiner ProSecure with its LaserSecure technology offers manufacturers comprehensive protection of their products against counterfeiting. Authentication by means of the time-tested technology has now become even more reliable and faster due to a new generation of readers, said the company in a recent product launch. They detect unique optical fingerprints incorporated in the inks used for LaserSecure, which enables the identification of discrete product items, grades or types of products. Authenticity can be verified either by a quick check or a forensic measurement technique. In 2013, customs officials at the EU’s borders confiscated 36 million faked goods equating to an original value of 768 million euros. The steadily growing threat posed by product counterfeiting calls for solutions that make it possible to easily detect fakes along the value chain and to take them out of circulation. Schreiner ProSecure assists manufacturers in protecting their products against counterfeiting and tampering – from an initial analysis of potential risks and selection of the appropriate security technologies through to the provision of the required authentication equipment. LaserSecure is a time-tested anti-counterfeiting technology, which now offers even higher security thanks to new reading equipment.
New features from Morpho combat fake IDs
Morpho announced it has developed a new security feature aimed at fighting global ID document forgery globally. The company says identity document forgery is a serious threat worldwide. “Interpol’s database currently counts an alarming number of 40 million fake passports – plus the unreported cases. Morpho has the goal of fighting this trend. In an extensive analysis done together with governments, border officials and police, the company investigated what is the major threat and what is needed to close the security gap. Based on the findings, Morpho developed a new security feature that meets the needs in the field to effectively prevent ID documents forgery: the Stereo Laser Image (SLI). Morpho said the most common threat for ID cards and passports is the substitution of the photo, with attempts at photo forgery are mostly done by placing a transparent sheet with a new printed portrait over the original. Its SLI aims to tackle this challenge. According to Morpho the SLI is a repetition of the primary holder photo on the ID document in a 3D-format. It allows checking the authenticity of the primary photo by directly comparing the two photos. SLI cannot be copied on an overlay. Any attempt to place a transparent sheet with a new printed portrait over the original cannot create the 3D-effect and tactile characteristics. An optical lens structure is integrated in the polycarbonate card body to create the stereo view. Morpho says it only needs a single photo of the document holder in the usual formal, compliant with ICAO-guidelines. Special software turns the photo into a specific 3D-model, creating different views. It also puts in floating characters for further protection. During personalisation, the images of the holder are engraved at different angles through the lenses. This is unique. The result is the portrait of the document holder in 3D without moving the card or using special glasses. As it is easy to check, the new feature will keep processes at the border fast. In comparison to former 3D-solutions, SLI can be used directly in existing enrolment infrastructures without extra equipment.