Hologram Industry News

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, June 23 ,2008 - InkSure Technologies Inc.a leading provider of covert machine-readable security solutions for the prevention of counterfeiting, fraud and diversion, and an important developer of RFID solutions, announced the appointment of Philip M. Getter as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Yaron Meerfeld as acting Chief Executive Officer. These management changes are designed to better align InkSure’s future growth in these rapidly expanding areas.

InkSure also announced that on June 16, 2008 Mr. Elie Housman resigned as CEO and Chairman of the Board but will continue as a Director. Mr. Housman contributed years of dedicated and inspired leadership to the Company through its early stages of technological and product development.

About InkSure Technologies Inc.
InkSure Technologies Inc., with its corporate headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and its research and development center in Science Park, Rehovot, Israel, specializes in comprehensive, covert security solutions designed to protect high profile brands and documents of value from counterfeiting, fraud and diversion. The Company’s sales and marketing activities target a number of market opportunities, including financial, pharmaceutical, branded products, transportation, and government/institutional, on a global scale.
Additional information on the Company is available on its website at http://www.inksure.com.

After much debate and delay the Ministry of Shiping, Road Transport and Highways notified the introduction of High Security Registration Number Plates (HSRNP)-touted as one of the best anti-theft systems for vehicles-the ambitious plan will finally set takes off in six months.

From this november, these number plates are going to be mandatory and fiexed on all new vehicles. The new high security number plates will nationwide, sport a uniform font and a unique hologram that cannot be counterfeited. The new number plate will also be much more durable and would not lose its attibutes for five years. These number plates are estimated to cost about Rs 2500 per vehicle and cannot be easily removed and replaced.

With features like these, they are not easy to temper;
a) Embossed registration numbers as well as chromium hologram on the aluminium plates.
b) Unique laser numbering containing the alphanumeric identification of testing agencies and manufactures.
c) Rear registration numbers plates fitted with non-reusable snap locks to make them temper proff.
d) A third chrmoium-based registration plate in the form of sticker to be attached to the windshield. It will contain the number of the engine and chasis, along with the name of the registering authority. If tempered with, it self-destructs.
e) In front and rear registration plates, the letter “IND” in blue hot-stamped to the plates.
f) A retro-reflective film, bearing a verification inscription “India” at an inclination of 45 degrees.

Sources:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/316275.html
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/tamper-proof-number-plates-for-vehicles-soon_10046574.html
http://www.businessline.in
http://pcquest.ciol.com/content/Implementationstrategies/2005/105060201.asp
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/High-security_number_plates_SC_gives_govt_six_months/rssarticleshow/3023392.cms

Holograms and RFIDs are the similar technologies used by companies as a method for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection. Now the two technologies are coming in a combo pack with double protection to prevent pirates selling counterfeits.

Hitachi with Toppan has launched the world’s first hologram-toting IC tag. The ‘ IC Hologram’ combines the two technologies with a view to making tracking and verifying the authenticity of a product as watertight as possible. Future applications are likely to include using it to secure batches of medicines, but for now it’s going to keep tabs on really important stuff like designer perfumes and handbags.

The hologram element is costly to fake without large-scale facilities, while the RFID data is encrypted and even more difficult to crack. On top of those, the sticker they are rooted to can’t be peeled off a product without breaking into pieces.

Trade in counterfeiting and pirated goods cost global economy $ 650 billion annually. Toppan says this is crucial as “tens of trillions of yen (£100 billion+)” are lost to counterfeiters every year. More importantly, it reckons it can scoop up ¥4 billion (£19 million) in annual sales of the stickers.
Sources: http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/future-tech/worlds-first-holographic-rfid-tag-252668

New Delhi : 13 Feb 2008
The crime of counterfeiting currency is as old as money itself. In the past, nations had used counterfeiting as a means of warfare, such as in the War Between the States in the USA in the mid-1800s and the Bernhard Operation in Europe during the Second World War. Today, the crime of counterfeiting continues to present a potential danger to national economies and financial losses to consumers. Recent developments in photographic and computer technology, as well as printing devices, have made the production of counterfeit money relatively easy, thereby increasing the potential threat. The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested busted a an international fake currency racket.
For more news download the pdf:
fake-currency.pdf
currency-counterfeiting.pdf

BOOK piracy, the illegal reproduction of books, has assumed menacing proportions over the last two decades. In India, about 15,000 publishers publish about 70,000 books annually in 22 languages. According to the Federation of Booksellers and Publishers Association of India (FBPAI), book piracy poses a major threat to the 7000-crore publishing industry in the country and results in a loss of 400 crores to publishers in India.
For more story, download the PDF:
book-piracy.pdf

Pharmaceutical counterfeiting and purchasing medicines from the illegal distributions channels have become more and more common and a big problem in India. With the sale of spurious drugs increasing in New Delhi (NCR) by 25 percent per annum, the creation of the NCR Drugs Protection Authority to monitor the activities of fake drugs manufacturers is on the anvil.
For complete story click the link; drug-counterferiting.pdf

Created by HoMAI : Wednesday, 6 Feb 2008
Pharmaceutical counterfeiting and purchasing medicines from illegal distributions channels have become more and more common and a big problem in our country. Difference medicines and drugs are involved. An alarmingly high proportion of anti-malarial drugs brought in pharmacies and shops are counterfeit, and the problem has only increased significantly in recent years. Recent and widespread appearance of counterfeit artesunate tablets in several countries in South-East Asia including India poses a serious threat to health in this region. In some countries, up to 50 percent medicines are fakes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) the growing counterfeit drug market is going to be worth a hefty $75 billion globally by 2010.

The difficulty to monitor the spread of fake drugs is that counterfeit medicines are easy to manufacture- they look like genuine drugs in packaging and labeling. Another problems is the wide availability of controlled drugs-narcotics, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and other internationally controlled drugs are easily developed in many developing countries. In addition, countries with weak regulations are most vulnerable to the marketing of counterfeit drugs. Illegal pharmacies and the sale of medicines over the Internet have aggravated the problem further. The rapid expansions of unregulated markets has dramatically worsened the situation. The problem of counterfeit medication and abuse of pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances bought without prescriptions has increased alarmingly and poses graves risks to public health.

The counterfeit drug industry is currently booming with estimates that the black market would reach $75 billion by 2010. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, barcodes and various other solutions have been offered to the industry as security measures. New holograms products like the ones manufactured by an innovative new platform technology which can react to simple stimuli such as breath or water to reveal a hidden image or change colour to confirm a product’s authenticity, promise to be a novel arrow in the quiver of the pharma industry in its attempts to shoot down drug counterfeiters. These smart holograms as they are called, use a variety of polymers between layers of film which are turned to react to different stimuli. The polymers swell as a result of the stimuli and light is refracted in a different way, giving a visual response to verify authenticity. The smart holograms can be integrated into a supply chain to any extent a manufacture chooses, as the hidden image can be designed to fade and reappear as the stimulus is re-applied at a later stage, or employed as a single use feature with the revealed image remaining permanently.

The holograms can be used as a track and trace mechanism. and combined with specialization as well as hidden images to produce both overt and covert security features. The extensive technological research that has gone into the product and the manufacturing complexity will make it an unattractive option for counterfeiters, as is being fervently hoped by the industry.

Wednesday: Created by HoMAI
Packaging is the dress code of any brand. According to wikipedia “Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging is heavily integrated into our daily lives, we see it all around us, on everyday items such as chocolate bars and potato chip (crisp) packets. The main use for packaging is protection of the goods inside, but packaging also provides us with a recognizable logo, or packaging, we instantly know what the goods are inside. If you get it right, you are sure to impress all those who matter. In this age of cut-throat competition nothing cuts through the clutter like unique packaging. Not every good packaging idea comes with a price tag. A little creative thinking is all that is needed.

Now, Welcome to the new age of holographic packaging - The art of future dressing up of brand.

It’s not often that a simple design element can be so flexible in its use and so remarkable in its effectiveness.

The impact of holography on packaging is immediate, getting the attention of your customers and moving your product off the shelf. In this era the innovative use of holographic packaging has a proven track record of increasing sales.

Brach & Brock Candy Company projected a three-fold increase in sales using holographic packaging.

“Sparkling hologram bags that practically glow on the shelf to catch shoppers’ attention.” That’s how Brach & Brock Confections describes the packaging for its new Street Sharks Gummy Candies and Batman & Robin Fruit Snacks and Gummy Candy.”

An example: Blanton Whiskey added a hologram to its bottle and this led to an instant and increased sale .

The holographic packaging provides eye catching visual impact, authentication, and added value. In reality, all products are subject to counterfeiting. Hence proper holographic packaging on consumer goods serve an important way for brand protection.

In February 1999, when Colgate-Palmolive Canada decided to enter the whitening toothpaste market for the first time, it knew it had to capture attention quickly in a lively, competitive environment … and the Colgate name alone wasn’t going to carry the day. The company hoped to win over loyal users of competitive brands, and persuade even users of its own standard toothpaste to upgrade to its new brand, “Colgate Sensation.” As a late entry into the marketplace, it was likely to be facing an uphill climb. Colgate-Palmolive’s global headquarters in New York recommended using a holographic package to break through shelf clutter, grab consumer attention and establish the presence of the new product in the market.

According to Philip Durocher Director of Marketing “ We wanted to present the public with a premium package,A package that would reflect what people think their smiles should be like–sparkling and dazzling.”

Holographic packaging films are ideal for flexible or rigid packaging. In an already crowded marketplace, the ability of a product to get noticed due to the sheer packaging is an invaluable tool to retain and increase market share. Application of holographic packaging is already extremely diverse ranging from toothpaste packaging to chewing gum wrappers. Hologram packaging includes flexible packaging, board packaging, rigid box, pack packaging etc. There are several reasons why holographic packaging is becoming crucial in today’s context. Both the ethical and OTC environments demand better, more efficient packaging. There are many reasons which improves the usage of holographic packaging.

The advantages of holographic packaging are manifold:

Inherent security of holography against counterfeit
Customer perceives higher value addition
Greater & High impact at the point of sale
Enhanced aesthetics ensuring a Premium look
“According to recently published report by PIRA hologram types and geographic markets will show the highest levels of growth and offer the most opportunities to hologram manufacturers.”

Problems of packaging terrorism and product piracy are increasing. The use of holography is a cost-effective way of countering these which, at the same time, adds to the attractiveness of the pack. ACROSS THE whole range of packaging applications, there is no more creative or secure medium than holography.

Tunis, Tunisia (PRWEB) January 20, 2008 — La Griffe Internationale, the leading North African garment label manufacturer and Optaglio, an international hologram producer based in Britain and Czech Republic have joined forces to eliminate brand counterfeiting with holographic security. offer the ultimate anti-counterfeiting and authentication solution to the brand owners.

Optaglio’s high-resolution Multimatrix® holograms will now be integrated into the garment labels and hangtags manufactured by La Griffe Internationale. Multimatrix holograms — with their eye-catching visual impact — enhance brand awareness and increase marketing value of prestigious brands. In addition, they offer cutting edge anti-counterfeit security features, ranging from general public recognition, to inspector-oriented hidden features, to forensic features which can only be identified with specialized equipment in laboratory conditions.

Sources: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb634101.htm

Bilcare Ltd a leading pharmaceutical packaging and clinical research company has acquired a Singapore based company named Singular ID, for Rs 55 crores ($19.58 billion). The acquisition made through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bilcare Singapore Pte, represents a significant step forward in ongoing war against counterfeit drugs and pharmaceuticals products.
For complete story downloadwar-on-fake-drugs.pdf