Counterfeiting dates back to the sixth century BC with the introduction of physical currency, when Athens became the first society to adopt anti-counterfeit legislation. Since that period, history has followed a pattern – counterfeiters push the bounds of what is possible and force lawmakers to keep up with new ways to verify authenticity.
The methods and instruments that counterfeiters use in the digital age have only further developed. Now, they manipulate advanced techniques to make goods that are difficult to identify and can enter even the most carefully guarded stores. However, whereas the ancient Greeks fought back with legislation, today's businesses rely on smart technology to fight fakes.
Despite its long history, counterfeiting is an intractable problem for many businesses. Companies spend plenty of money and resources to stop the spread of spurious goods. If a product masquerades as its real version, companies and consumers can both be harmed and counterfeiting can have a substantial financial impact on a sector. According to the latest "Economic Impacts of Counterfeiting and Piracy" assessment, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, counterfeiting could be worth $2.3 trillion by 2022.
Along with these financial concerns, brands must also consider the reputational damage that fakes can create. Brands have a huge responsibility when it comes to ethics. With companies' reputations on the line, digital innovations enable them to access a whole new set of tools to fight fakes.
Today, counterfeiters are ever more skilled at obtaining materials and combining them with intricate designs. So distinguishing real from fake is more difficult today than it has been in the past. With products such as printer ink, adulteration can be a problem. Forgers alter chemical compositions to create less effective or even harmful knock-offs. Given this level of sophistication, it is obsolete to try and manually identify fakes from originals.
There is hope though to combat this menace.
Digital anti-counterfeiting technology is the tool necessary to fight counterfeits
Digital authenticity labels and improved image processing are helping to turn the tables. These labels make use of unique digital identifiers, such as "cryptographic hashes", which can be verified only by a backend database. Following examination, modern image processing – frequently in the form of a smartphone app – is used to validate the digital markers without the need for human intervention. Printed labels include elements like holographs and QR codes to facilitate verification. This technology goes a long way. It allows customers to check products online and be satisfied that they have bought the real thing.
Labelling also helps in accurately tracking items through the stages of manufacturing, distribution and shipping. This is especially useful for channel partners and distributors that frequently connect manufacturers with end users. The process of tracking and tracing requires a system that can handle enormous data streams in real time. If effective systems are not in place, counterfeiters are at an advantage, which results in significant costs for the industry.
According to Imaging Supplies Coalition, a non-profit trade association, the global industry for counterfeit printer cartridges is worth more than $3 billion per year. Which means businesses need to ensure that their track-and-trace systems are in place even for the future.
Despite the fact that the top anti-counterfeit programmes will try to discover fakes before they appear on websites, the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult to conduct investigations in person.
Due to restrictions, health concerns, travel limitations and limited resources, tracking counterfeit items has been a challenge. To overcome it, companies – now more than ever – need to adopt procedures that protect their brands. And all parties involved, from manufacturers to distributors to retailers, need to work together.
Thankfully, big data and advanced analytics help in this battle, and AI plays a key part. By combining aspects such as neural networks and video analytics, AI aids anti-counterfeiting operations by detecting even the most complex physical alterations to something like toner ink. In the offline world, the same tactics assist investigators in locating unlawful stock.
Despite the fact that history tends to repeat itself, digital anti-counterfeiting technology is the tool necessary to fight counterfeits. It is, however, vital to ensure congruence among stakeholders. A combined effort to recognise and eliminate fraudulent listings and spurious products can be an effective strategy.
By working closely with local and international law enforcement officials, in the past five years, HP has assisted in the seizure of over 12 million counterfeit items, including cartridges, hardware, products and components in more than 60 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company also helps detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce fake printing components and conducts raids where counterfeit products are stored, besides conducting audits and inspections of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers.
Given the sophistication and prevalence of counterfeiting globally, and despite the best efforts of the law, it is essential that consumers stay alert, buy products from authentic dealers and use track-and-trace technologies. It will go a long way.
Vishnu Taimni is managing director at HP Middle East
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FORSPOKEN
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
FIGHT%20CARD
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
