The counterfeiting of goods has been an issue for as long as there has been manufacturing. A company’s reputation is often at stake, and the laws governing counterfeiting are complex and sometimes difficult to understand. There are many ways that a company can be duped into buying counterfeit goods. For example, imagine that you’re shopping at your favorite department store and a friend presents you with two identical ring handbags. You know they are genuine—you inspected them before they were purchased—but your sense of smell is still skeptical. So you look closely at the handle stitching, the details on the straps, and even the stitching itself. After all, how can you be sure that it’s not just one of those friends who bought the bags in hopes of getting you to buy their products as well? Anti-counterfeiting technology has been used to combat this issue for more than a century. It works by detecting changes that occur within a product when it leaves the factory that indicate it was produced with an unauthorized copying process rather than an authentic manufacturing process. This article covers everything you need to know about counterfeits and anti-counterfeiting technology in general.
What is Anti-Counterfeiting Technology?
Anti-counterfeiting technology, also known as accreditation or counterfeit detection, is aIGS-level solution used to verify the authenticity of manufactured products. It works by comparing the product’s makeup to a database of known good products to create a unique, high-fidelity “fingerprint” that can be used to identify the product as counterfeit. The Technologies used in anti-counterfeiting include visual and chemical means. Visual inspection uses machines, lights, and cameras to detect minute changes in the shape, color, and texture of a product when it is produced. Chemical analysis may involve infrared or ultraviolet detection to determine the presence or absence of certain chemicals in a product.
How to spot a fake product
Depending on the purpose of the inspection, you may be presented with an unopened box or bag of goods. In these cases, visual inspection is the most effective method. You may also be presented with a mock-up of the product, such as when you visit a factory to discuss the production process with employees. If the manufacturer does not provide you with a sample of the genuine article, it is wise to assume that the product you are examining is fake. Some adjustments you should make to your sense of smell include wearing gloves and holding the item for a short period of time. You should also expect your sense of taste to be slightly altered, as fake-tasting materials often contain chemicals that you may not be used to.
What makes a product counterfeit?
How a manufacturer creates a fake product varies depending on the purpose of the product. A good example is the sleeve of counterfeit designer clothing. The design on the outside is identical to that on the real article, but the fabric and buttons are fake. Most counterfeit products are homemade or produced using a copy-cat process. A copy-cat process is when a manufacturer uses the official trademark, design, and other identifying features of a famous brand, but copies the ingredients and production process to less-regarded brands. Some manufacturers use a combination of the above methods. It is important to remember that fake products often look almost identical to real products. You may not be able to tell the difference between a real and fake bag of chips by looking at them one at a time, but if you put them both in a bag, you will likely be able to spot the difference by smell.
How to combat counterfeit products
To combat fake goods, you can use the same techniques that you would for genuine articles. You can also look for signs of fraud when purchasing goods online. If you notice that something is odd about the payment process or that the seller does not seem to respond to messages promptly, report them to the authorities. Be suspicious of ads and reviews as well. Many fake goods are concealed in ads and reviews to get you to purchase them without realizing it. Look out for giveaways and deals that are too good to be true, and report them to the authorities if you suspect fraud.
Conclusion
The counterfeiting of products has been an issue for as long as there has been manufacturing. A company’s reputation is often at stake, and the laws governing counterfeiting are complex and sometimes difficult to understand. There are many ways that a company can be duped into buying counterfeit goods. For example, imagine that you’re shopping at your favorite department store and a friend presents you with two identical ring handbags. You know they are genuine—you inspected them before they were purchased—but your sense of smell is still skeptical. So you look closely at the handle stitching, the details on the straps, and even the stitching itself. After all, how can you be sure that it’s not just one of those friends who bought the bags in hopes of getting you to buy their products as well?