Intellectual Property Enforcement Plan a “Missed Opportunity” Says Authentication Body
U.S.
policy makers have missed a golden opportunity to make authentication
technologies mandatory for intellectual property (IP) anti-counterfeiting
strategies, says the International Authentication Association (IAA).
Although
the newly published U.S. Joint Strategic Plan on IP Enforcement is a welcomed
step in the right direction, the IAA is disappointed to see the only reference
to authentication methods is the proposal to establish a mandatory requirement
for a track and trace system for pharmaceuticals and medical products.
Although
the plan indicates that track and trace ‘allows for authentication of the
product’, in reality such systems do not authenticate products.
The
IAA, which represents many of the world’s leading brand owners and suppliers of
authentication technologies, says that the plan does not go far enough and
should have been stronger in endorsing the use of authentication technologies
and methods - not just track and trace - for IP protection.
Track
and trace can help to secure the supply chain from the infiltration of
counterfeiting but it cannot in itself identify nor confirm whether products
distributed beyond legitimate supply chains are genuine or not.
The
most effective strategies for combating counterfeiting include the use of overt
and covert authentication technologies and programs – something which the Joint
Strategic Plan on IP Enforcement should have acknowledged and supported.
IAA
chairman Jim Rittenburg said the plan is definitely a step in the right
direction but track and trace is not a panacea – a position supported in the
Performance of Authentication Solutions circulated to ISO members, which states
‘...track and trace technology when used alone is not considered to be an
authentication solution’.
This
is also highlighted in the approach that governments take to protecting their
money.
Although
banknotes are all serialized for tracking purposes they also contain a
multitude of overt and covert authentication features such as security threads,
holographics, watermarks, micro text, security inks and invisible taggants.
“The
national plan to fight counterfeiting should include references and guidance on
the means of authentication, because detecting fakes is a key part of any
anti-counterfeiting strategy,” said Jim Rittenburg.
“So,
the plan from Victoria Espinel, the U.S. Government’s IP Enforcement
Coordinator, is not only a missed chance to highlight the importance of
authentication technologies but a misguided one in its belief that track and
trace allows for authentication.
“We
would like to see the IP Enforcement Coordinator look at the broader role of
authentication technologies and programs for the next strategic plan.
“We
would also encourage those involved in authentication to provide her with
information which shows the full spectrum of authentication and global
experiences.”
The
International Authentication Association is a global organization set up to
lead the fight against counterfeits and represents many of the world’s leading
brand owners and suppliers of authentication technologies. For more information
about the IAA, visit http://www.internationalauthenticationassociation.org
