As counterfeiters get more and more ambitious, so too must brand pioneers become more entrepreneurial in their anti-counterfeiting initiatives.
While some may think that the following IP protection solutions are ingenious, others think think they’re downright bizarre. Let’s take a look at some that have been employed this year.
#1: Biomimetic Microfingerprints is an Anti Counterfeiting Strategy
As counterfeiters get more sophisticated, the fight to protect IP has become more complex. “Biomimetic,” or biomimicry, is the imitation of the models, systems and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. In this case, it’s used to code against counterfeiting. Here’s an abstract that garnered attention in 2016:An unclonable, fingerprint-mimicking anti-counterfeiting strategy is presented that encrypts polymeric particles with randomly generated silica film wrinkles. The generated wrinkle codes are as highly unique as human fingerprints and are technically irreproducible. Superior to previous physical unclonable functions, codes are tunable on demand and generable on various geometries….
#2: There’s an Interesting Fight Against Counterfeit Medicine
Michigan State University is responding to the growing, global threat of poorly reproduced medicine. In recent decades, counterfeit medicine has been responsible for thousands of deaths. Here’s the summary of the problem:
Around the world, especially in developing nations, counterfeit medicines are a real problem. Until now, in many countries there hasn't been a standard protocol to conduct investigations and pursue prosecution.
Doctors leading efforts say that there likely won’t be a cure for counterfeit medicine. Instead, it should be looked as as treating a chronic disease, where progress is made but cure’s are rarely discovered.
#3: Anti Counterfeiting Measures for Wines Continue into the Future
Yes, counterfeiting has, unfortunately, come a long way -- into the food and wine industries. As with some other counterfeit products, poorly done reproductions of wine can be hazardous to your health.
International Wine & Spirit Research estimated that, in 2016, the Chinese wine consumption reached 715 million cases per year. Which contributes significantly to globalization of a product.
The wine industry has been proactive in its stance against counterfeits. Just one measure used is called Near Field Communication (NFC) -- a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology that enables information to be exchanged securely between peripherals.
#4: Hidden Clues to Help Identify Legit Brands
Authentication is an old-fashioned way to prove legitimacy. But in 2016, there are techy ways of doing so. One is called Micro-Text One, which involves micro-text printing on a gravure cylinder that’s too small for the unaided eye to detect.
Text can be placed anywhere on a product or package, and the micro-text can be changed or moved to a different location in subsequent printings.
Another method uses a hidden image within a design element, which is completely invisible to the naked eye can be included within the package design. These hidden images can be revealed by a unique, semi-transparent decoder, which is embossed with a special line structure designed to reveal the hidden image.
While we hope these methods prove effective for the brands that use them, not everyone is willing or had the time or resources to invest in them.
What’s much more practical for many is software solution that makes it much easier to yield results for investigations and brand protection.
No matter what, brands don’t want to get a reputation for doing nothing to protect their IP!
