Counterfeits infamously rule the 21st century and brand protection has become more critical than ever. New tactics and technologies are necessary to safeguard brands and consumers from getting ripped off or pulled into fraud. However, it is important to implement advanced technologies that specifically take into account the future, outsmarting the counterfeiters.
Factors Your Brand Should Consider Before Choosing an Anti-Counterfeiting Solution
Implementing an anti-counterfeit solution is easier said than done. The effectiveness of the solution highly depends on how it meets your requirements. There are different factors you need to consider before choosing an anti-counterfeit solution.
- Identifying Threats: Understand the challenges your brand is facing in the market. Identify the channel the threat is present, online or offline.
- Technological Options Available: Research the current trends in technology. Learn which technologies suit your requirements and will have a positive impact on the customers' experience.
- Feasibility: Scrutinize the technology, its application and how it benefits the brand. Always opt for a solution that supports scalability for future expansions and meets the budget allocated.
- Define the ROI: A well-experienced brand protection solution provider will be able to present you with the ROI of the anti-counterfeit solution. Choose a solution that serves your brand's best interest such as recovering lost profits, improving sales or building a positive image in the market by showcasing sustainable practices.
- Customer Experience: Select a solution that enhances customer interaction, like QR codes for easy product verification and engagement.
- Compliance with Regulations: Ensure the solution adheres to legal and industry standards, especially in regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals and spirits.
5 Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies for Your Brand
The advantage your brand has today is the ability to experiment with different technologies available in the market. Most times, you could get a customised solution that combines one or more technologies to provide the most effective solution. Here are 5 latest anti-counterfeit solutions you can find today:
1. Blockchain-Based Traceability System
Blockchain allows you to track your products throughout the supply chain, identifying vulnerabilities and allowing you to take action for reconciliation. The immutable ledger captures every transaction enabling transparency and traceability, making it nearly impossible for counterfeit products to infiltrate the supply chain.
Key Features:
- An immutable record of the product journey
- Real-time supply chain monitoring
- Secure and transparent transactions
2. AI-Powered Online Brand Protection
Not just offline but the online world is swarmed with counterfeiters. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changer in online brand protection. AI can identify any IP infringements occurring in the online world. AI-powered solutions can automatically detect and takedown counterfeit websites, listings, fake ads and unauthorised sellers across online platforms. This technology helps brands maintain their digital presence by continuously monitoring and taking down infringing content.
Key Features:
- Automated detection of counterfeit listings
- Real-time monitoring of online marketplaces
- Enforcement of takedown actions
3. Unique Security Labels and Codes
Security labels and QR codes are the commonly used authentication methods. The labels are effective for protecting brands from counterfeiters. However, their security has been severely depleted in the modern age. Advanced security labels integrate AI and multiple layers of security to ensure zero errors occur and faster and increased accuracy. The labels provide a means for customers to verify the product before purchasing, a crucial tool in ensuring customer safety.
Key Features:
- Multi-layered authentication
- Unique identifiers for product verification
- Seamless authentication methods
4. RFID-enabled Smart Packaging Solution
Smart Packaging uses serialisation and technology to create connected packaging that can communicate with consumers and supply chain partners. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) enables wireless communication that allows brands to secure products, allowing tracking and authentication. These intelligent packages can provide real-time data on the product’s status, authenticate the product, and even alert brands if tampering is detected.
Key Features:
- Real-time product authentication
- Supply chain visibility
- Tamper detection and alerts
5. Hologram based Tamper-Evident Packaging
Tamper-evident packaging using seals and hologram labels is capable of showing clear signs of counterfeiting. These security features can make it evident if a product has been opened or altered, protecting both the product and the consumer. The tamper-evident features allow brands to prevent pilferage and unauthorised interventions.
Top 10 Anti-Counterfeit Solution Providers In 2024
The effectiveness of the technology depends on the solution provider your brand partners with. It is important to thoroughly evaluate the companies before you implement the solution. Here are 10 anti-counterfeit solutions providers you can find today.
1. Acviss
Acviss focuses on providing digital and physical anti-counterfeiting solutions through secure, advanced non-cloneable QR codes. The product verification application allows consumers to authenticate products by scanning the proprietary QR labels, which triggers real-time verification. This enables brands and customers to track the product throughout the supply chain, used by several governmental organisations including the Coffee Board of India. They also offer solutions for customer loyalty programs and warranty management, all integrated into custom-branded apps.
Key Products:
- Certify: AI-integrated product authentication solution powered by the advanced labelling system
- Truviss: AI and ML-based monitoring of online marketplaces to detect counterfeit products.
- Origin: Blockchain-powered supply chain track and trace system to monitor product life-cycle.
2. SICPA
SICPA is a leader in security inks and integrated tracking solutions. They offer tamper-evident packaging and secure labelling technologies for various industries, including pharmaceuticals, tobacco and consumer goods. Their secure labelling solutions often incorporate colour-shifting inks, holograms, and QR codes to ensure product authenticity. Their advanced ink technologies protect against product counterfeiting. SICPATRACE traceability systems are used by governments and companies to track products throughout the supply chain.
3. Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison provides smart packaging solutions integrated with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology to track and authenticate products. Their RFID labels and tags allow for real-time tracking of goods throughout the supply chain. Avery Dennison’s solutions are widely used in retail, logistics, and apparel to ensure product authenticity and optimise inventory management.
4. Entrupy
Entrupy offers an AI-powered solution for product authentication, primarily aimed at luxury goods and high-end accessories. Computer vision and machine learning detect counterfeit products through microscopic images of materials such as leather, fabric, or metal. The AI-driven device that analyses products to verify authenticity.
5. Authentix
Authentix specialises in authentication and tracking technologies across industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and tobacco. Their solutions involve secure marking, digital traceability and supply chain protection. Authentix allows digital tax stamps to prevent counterfeiting in regulated industries. Their clientele includes governments and companies to safeguard against product diversion and counterfeiting.
6. OpSec Security
OpSec Security offers a range of anti-counterfeiting and brand protection solutions, including holograms, tamper-evident packaging and digital authentication tools. They provide services for high-risk industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods, enabling brands to detect counterfeit products and protect their intellectual property. OpSec allows customisable holograms for secure packaging. They also enable the monitoring of counterfeit listings on e-commerce and social media platforms.
7. Red Points
Red Points specialises in AI-powered brand protection solutions focused on detecting and removing counterfeit listings from online marketplaces, social media and websites. Their platform scans the internet for intellectual property infringements and takes automated action to remove counterfeits, making it ideal for brands with a strong online presence. Red Points also focuses on digital piracy protection to prevent the illegal distribution of digital content.
8. Everledger
Everledger uses blockchain technology to provide transparency and traceability across the supply chain. Their platform is particularly popular in industries such as diamonds, luxury goods, and fine wine. Everledger ensures that the product’s authenticity can be verified at any point by recording every transaction in the supply chain.
9. Neurotags
Neurotags anti-counterfeiting provides a unique product authentication identity that can be verified by the customers. The security identity integrated could be holograms, RFID or QR codes. Customers can access complete details from the warehouse to the retailer by verifying the tag.
10. Covectra
Covectra provides serialisation, track-and-trace and authentication solutions for industries like pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and cosmetics. Their patented technologies allow brands to serialise products and trace them throughout the entire supply chain. Covectra also offers cloud-based software to monitor product movement and detect potential counterfeits. StellaGuard by Covectra enables product serialisation and tamper-proof label systems with cloud-based tracking for real-time visibility.
Trust Built with Technology
Technology is the only way to secure your brand in 2024. Counterfeiters are getting smarter and anti-counterfeit solutions must get smarter. Investing in a reliable, future-proof brand protection solution today is a necessity more than an expense. Ensure you understand your needs and research the solution provider before you jump into the trend. Remember, the trust once broken will take years to build back, so protect your customers and ensure brand security today.
The brand protection landscape is complex to navigate. Learn more about anti-counterfeit technologies by getting in touch with our experts. We at Acviss successfully secure over 80 brands globally and protect 2 billion+ products building a healthy brand-customer relationship. Join the ranks of the industry leaders today with Acviss.
