RFID Anti-Counterfeiting for Retailing Systems

Counterfeiting is one of the most serious problems in the consumer market. One promising approach for anti-counterfeiting is to attach a low-cost Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) tag to the product authentication. In this paper, we propose an RFID system for detecting counterfeiting products. This RFID system consists of the tag authentication protocol and the database correction protocol. We use the tag authentication protocol for authenticating tags without revealing their sensitive information. This protocol also allows the customer to freely inquire the tag. To prevent the widespread of the counterfeit products, we use the tag status information along with tag identity information. Meanwhile, the database correction protocol guarantees the correctness of the tag status. Our anti-counterfeiting system is the first work considering the seller who plays an important role in the consumer product supply chain. Finally, we show that anti-counterfeiting system is quite secure against counterfeiting and the tag authentication protocol is lightweight enough to be implemented in RFID-based applications.

Preparation of NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+@NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu3+double-jacket microtubes for dual-mode fluorescent anti-counterfeiting

Novel hydrophilic NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+@NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+double-jacket microtubes(DJMTs)with upconversion/downconversion dual-mode luminescence were designed and prepared through epitaxial growth of NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+shell onto the NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+microtube via poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)mediated hydrothermal method.It is demonstrated that PAA ligand played an important role in guiding the direct growth of NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+shell onto the surface of NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+parent microtubes.The growth of NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+shell experienced a crystal phase transition fromβ-NaGdF4 andβ-NaYF4 mixture toβ-NaYF4@NaGdF4 composite crystal,and morphology evolution from mixture ofβ-NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+nanorods andβ-NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+microtubes to NaYF4:Yb^3+,Tm^3+@NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+DJMTs.The formation mechanism of DJMTs was the dissolution−renucleation ofβ-NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+nanorods and the growth ofβ-NaGdF4:Ce^3+,Eu^3+shell via the classical Ostwald ripening mechanism.The as-prepared DJMTs could exhibit blue upconversion and red downconversion luminescence,which was further made into environmentally benign luminescent inks for creating highly secured and fluorescent-based anti-counterfeiting patterns via inkjet printing.

Preliminary Study on Counterfeiting of Artemether and Artesunate Marketed in Lubumbashi

Pharmaceutical counterfeiting is a health scourge responsible for several cases of morbidity and mortality. Counterfeit medicines cause therapeutic failure, emergence of resistance in the treatment of infections. This study was conducted in order to identify counterfeit and authentic medicines in circulation in Lubumbashi. The study included artemether and artesunate for oral administration. A careful visual inspection of medicine, investigation of authenticity of pharmaceutical products from manufacturers and pharmaceutical regulatory authorities and determination of content were used as study parameters. 52 samples: 37 artemether and 15 of artésunate were collected. 7 samples (13%) have proven to be counterfeit. Artemether was the most counterfeit (71%) and 29% for artesunate. 6 (12%) samples were substandard according to the international pharmacopoeia in terms of content of active ingredient. Sixty-seven percent of non-compliance concerned counterfeit medicines. The proportion of non-compliance is highest among counterfeit medicines (71.43% vs 2.22%;p = 0.000004). It is obvious that strengthening the capacity of the drug regulatory authority of the DRC reduces the influx of counterfeit drug and substandard.

Comparative dissolution study on counterfeit medicines of PDE-5 inhibitors

Counterfeit medicines are a growing problem in both developing and industrialised countries. In general the evaluation of these medicines is limited to the identification and the dosage of the active ingredients. In this study in vitro dissolution tests were conducted on two sets of counterfeit medicines containing PDE-5 inhibitors （sildenafil citrate and tadalafil）. The dissolution profiles were statistically compared to the ones of the genuine products using the f2-method and a comparison at each time point using the Cochran test. The results showed low equivalences between counterfeit and genuine products as well as higher variations around the mean dissolution value at the different time points for the counterfeit products.

Field-Deployable Raman Anti-Counterfeit Screening of Tamiflu Capsules

In an effort to promote the availability of safe and effective drugs, the US Food and Drug Administration is developing spectroscopic methods to assess the quality of drugs in the field. Here we report a rapid screening classification method for Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) capsules using a portable Raman spectrometer to perform screening on three solid oral dosage strengths of Tamiflu, 30 mg, 45 mg and 75 mg. Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that is stockpiled for use in the event of pandemic influenza outbreak. The qualitative classification methods reported were developed using the Raman spectra of intact capsules. The classification algorithms used were able to reliably distinguish the three dosage strengths of Tamiflu. These qualitative models are validated with additional Tamiflu samples from different batches and simulated counterfeits of Tamiflu. The probability that a test sample belongs to each dosage strength class is calculated, and strict class predictions are used to assign each sample to a particular class. The classification methods reported here enable development of user-independent, field-deployable methods for finished drug products and are able to correctly assign 92% of the validation samples using authentic Tamiflu and 100% of the simulated counterfeits.

Webinar on “Existing challenges and solutions on combating counterfeiting of ICT devices”

February-15,virtual ITU is organizing a series of webinars on Combating counterfeiting and stolen information and communications technology(ICT)devices.The Episode 1:"Existing challenges and solutions on combating counterfeiting of ICT devices",will take place fully virtually on 15 February 2023.

Chemical Fingerprinting of Counterfeits of Viagra and Cialis Tablets and Analogues via Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is shown to provide an efficient tech- nique for the investigation of polar composition of forensic tablets for male erectile dysfunction. ESI-MS fingerprinting of 41 commercial sildenafil samples (Viagra?, Cialis?, Lazar?, Libiden?, , Maxfil?, , Plenovit?, Potent 75?, Rigix?, V-50?, Vimax?, Pramil 75? and Pramil?) and 56 counterfeit samples (Viagra and Cialis) were obtained. The spectra for the authentic Viagra? tablets showed abundant ions exclusively corresponding to the sildenafil (SLD) molecule: [SLD + H]+ of m/z 475;[SLD + Na]+ of m/z 497;and [2SLD + H]+ of m/z 949. The spectra for com-mercial sildenafil samples also showed predominat SLD ions. Tablets of authentic Cialis? showed mainly ions of m/z 343, 365 and 707 from the lactose molecule (the excipient);as well as a minor ion of m/z 390 corresponding to the active ingredient tadalafil (TAD) in its protonated form [TAD + H]+. For counterfeit Cialis samples, how-ever, normally TAD ions of much high abundances was observed, together with ions corresponding to sildenafil analogues such as those of m/z 489 (homosildenafil) and 505 (hydroxyhomosildenafil). Principal component analysis was applied to ESI-MS fingerprint data, placing samples according to their contents of active ingredients hence authentic and counterfeit samples are easily recognized.

NEQM （NFC Based Equipment Qualification Management） System Preventing Counterfeit and Fraudulent Item

Qualification of equipment essential to safety in NPPs （nuclear power plants） ensures its capability to perform designated safety functions on demand under postulated service conditions. However, a number of incidents identified by the NRC （Nuclear Regulatory Commission） since 1980s catalysed the US nuclear industry to adopt standard precautions to guard against counterfeit items. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the NFC （near field communication） based equipment qualification management system preventing counterfeit and fraudulent items. The NEQM （NFC based equipment qualification management） system works with the support of legacy systems such as PMS （procurement management system） and FMS （facility management system）.

THE STUDY OF UV-PHOTOCHROMIC ANTI-COUNTERFEIT PAPER

The hydrophilicity, dispersity and minuteness of UV (ultraviolet)-photochromic special function materials and its retention and formation mechanisms in stock were comprehensively studied, and the retention mechanism of UV-photochromic fiber was also studied. In addition, according to the disadvantages of special function materials such as big grain, bad hydrophilicity, expensive price and so on, this paper displays our effects focused on the developing of anti-counterfeit pigments slurry system. Moreover, the properties and anti-counterfeit mechanism of the paper with different special function materials were researched by fluorescent spectrum.

Morphological and microscopic identification studies of Cordyceps and its counterfeits

Macroscopic and microscopic studies were applied to distinguish Cordyceps sinensis(Berk.)Sacc.and its 5 common counterfeits.Transverse sections of stroma and larvae and surface sections of stroma of C.sinensis,Cordyceps gunnii,Cordyceps barnesii,Cordyceps gracilis,Cordyceps liangshanensis and Cordyceps militaris were examined and their morphological and microscopic features photographed.The main morphological and microscopic features of the 6 species of Cordyceps were basically similar except for certain diagnostic differences.These included macroscopic differences from C.sinensis as follows:the stroma of C.gunnii is stout and rough with sterile bulgy or branched apex;the larvae of C.barnesii has a pair of teeth on the head;the stroma of C.liangshanensi is thread-like;C.gracilis is without stroma;and C.militaris is without larvae.There were also microscopic differences:from C.sinensis as follows:the stroma of C.barnesii is without perithecia;C.gunnii,C.liangshanensis and C.gracilis are without bristles on the larva body.These differences allow C.sinensis and its counterfeits to be easily distinguished.

Preparation and characterization of rare earth fluorescent anti-counterfeiting fiber via sol-gel method

A benzoic acid rare earth(Tb) complex was synthesized and characterized.The excitation and emission spectra of the complex were investigated,and then pure organic complex was incorporated with inorganic matrices(SiO2) through sol-gel method.The composition and structure of the hybrid complex was characterized through the IR spectra,TG,TEM and fluorescent spectrometer.Furthermore,the polypropylene(PP) fluorescent fiber with the organic-inorganic hybrid was prepared by melt spinning.The fluorescent and mechanical properties of the fiber were also tested.The results showed that after sol-gel coating the average particulate dimension of the hybrid rare earth complex was less than 100 nm and thermal stability was improved.Meanwhile,the fiber possessed excellent fluorescent and mechanical properties,which could be used as a candidate applied to excellent fluorescent anti-counterfeiting fiber.

Dual-mode emission of single-layered graphene quantum dots in confined nanospace： Anti-counterfeiting and sensor applications

Engineering of the luminescent properties for graphene quantum dots （GQDs） presents two enormous challenges： 1） The bandgap of GQDs is mainly determined by structural defects （size, shape, and the fraction of sp2 and sp3 domains）, which results in non-stoichiometric nature; 2） the preparation methods limit the achievement of an accurate chemical structure of GQDs, leading to many controversial explanations over the relationship between the structural defects and bandgaps. Here, single-layered GQDs with an exact structure are obtained by in-situ reaction of intercalated precursors in the confined nanospace of layered double hydroxides （LDHs）. Subsequently, the structure-property relationship is uncovered, demonstrating the enhanced fluorescence and activated room temperature phosphorescence of the as-pre- pared GQDs-LDHs, which originate from synergistic effects： 1） strong confine- ment provided by the nanospace of LDHs; 2） rich O-containing functional groups on the surface of GQDs resulting from LDH catalysis. Moreover, the colorless nature and dual-emission characteristics of GQDs-LDHs satisfy the preconditions as anti-counterfeiting markers for protecting valuable documents （bank notes, commercial invoices, etc.）. Particularly, owing to the low toxicity of GQDs and the edible property of LDHs, the GQDs-LDHs/gelatin capsules could be the new generation of potential green anti-counterfeiting material in the field of food and drugs.

Pure organic room-temperature phosphorescent N-allylquinolinium salts as anti-counterfeiting materials

Pure organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have been attracting much attention recently. Herein, we report a facile approach combining heavy atom effect and external solvent stimuli to realize RTP. N-Allylquinolinium bromide under 365 nm UV exhibited intense green RTP emission with response upon adding chloroform. This interesting phenomenon endowed N-allylquinolinium bromide great potential as an anti-counterfeiting material.

Four counterfeit coins problem

Let S be the set of n coins,in which there are m counterfeit coins, heavier (or lighter) than the normals. How many weighings do we need to find the m fakes by a balance? Denote by g_m(n) the least number of weighings we need.

Monitoring and Limiting Deceptive Counterfeiting:a Two-Stage Model

Over past decades,deceptive counterfeits which cannot be recognized by ordinary consumers when purchasing,such as counterfeit cosmetics,have posed serious threats on consumers’health and safety,and resulted in huge economic loss and inestimable brand damages to the genuine goods at the same time.Thus,how to effectively control and eliminate deceptive counterfeits in the market has become a critical problem to the local government.One of the principal challenges in combating the cheating action for the government is how to enhance the enforcement of relative quality inspection agencies like industrial administration office(IAO).In this paper,we formulate a two-stage counterfeit product model with a fixed checking rate from IAO and a penalty for holding counterfeits.Tominimize the total expected cost over two stages,the retailer adopts optimal ordering policies which are correlated with the checking rate and penalty.Under certain circumstances,we find that the optimal expected cost function for the retailer is first-order continuous and convex.The optimal ordering policy in stage two depends closely on the inventory level after the first sales period.When the checking rate in stage one falls into a certain range,the optimal ordering policy for the retailer at each stage is to order both kinds of products.Knowing the retailer’s optimal ordering policy at each stage,IAO can modify the checking rate accordingly to keep the ratio of deceptive counterfeits on the market under a certain level.

Legal regulations on the counterfeiting of social media accounts

With the advent of the mobile Internet era,social media has developed rapidly,and its operating entities have become more diverse.Social media accounts have become external business cards of various entities such as governments,enterprises,and individuals and are precious intangible assets.At the same time,social media accounts are also at risk of being counterfeited.

COUNTERFEIT CHARACTERS

There is a legendary,though perhaps apocryphal,story regarding Xu Bing’s most famous and influential artwork'Book from the Sky'(天书tionshu)—Xu’s bold creation of 4,000'false'Chinese characters.A senior editor at a

论混合型平台知识产权侵权责任的边界——以美国“恶名市场名单”构陷微信为切入点

美国“恶名市场名单”报告以微信被用于售假链条的环节中为由,无端构陷其整体属于电商生态系统并苛责其承担过重的知识产权注意义务,这既给我国相关企业招致过度关注和不当监管,也对我国在知识产权保护方面的国际声誉造成不应有的负面影响。实际上,与传统的单一型平台不同,以微信为代表的混合型平台创造性地将多种类型的功能和服务聚合为一体,在本质上属于混合型平台,其知识产权注意义务和法律责任应当根据具体功能模块的性质和特征予以类型化分析。在框定混合型平台知识产权侵权责任的边界时,必须冲破知识产权侵权行为碎片化以及知识产权注意义务模糊性的困境。一方面,要严格遵循混合型平台知识产权侵权判定的应然逻辑,重点考察混合型平台内各功能服务模块的角色定位;另一方面,要坚持秉承混合型平台知识产权侵权责任认定的理念思路,以分级分类理念、包容审慎理念和利益平衡理念为视角认真审视侵权责任边界之划定是否科学合理。

《民法典》第1014条(姓名权、名称权不得非法侵害)评注

《民法典》第1014条规定的姓名权、名称权不得非法侵害,是姓名权、名称权的消极防御权能,其与《民法典》第1012条、第1013条规定的姓名权、名称权的积极权能,共同构成现行法律体系下关于姓名权、名称权权能的一般规定。对于涉及姓名权、名称权消极权能的法律纠纷,在其他法律如《著作权法》《商标法》《反不正当竞争法》等没有具体规定时,应回溯到本条作为规范依据。本条在立法技术上采具体列举+概括规定的方式,既明确了应予禁止的典型侵害行为,也将那些尚不足以预先概括其事实构成的侵害行为纳入现行法调整范围,从而使制定法能够跟得上社会发展而为姓名权、名称权提供充分保护。主张本条规定的典型侵害行为及其他侵害行为的权利人负有证明责任,需要证明行为人实施了干涉、盗用和假冒等行为,若权利人不能证明或提供的证据前后矛盾等,则要承担不利后果。

刺激“泛化”与刺激“甄别”对仿冒品购买行为的影响

文章运用刺激泛化和刺激甄别理论,分析“泛化”和“甄别”情境对消费者仿冒品购买意愿的影响机理,探讨从众和品牌显著度在其中的调节作用。研究发现:“泛化”情境正向影响仿冒品购买意愿,“甄别”情境则起负向影响作用,质量感知在其中起完全中介作用;进一步地,在从众的调节下,仅“泛化”情境对仿冒品购买意愿的正向影响显著增强,并且“泛化”和“甄别”情境对仿冒品购买意愿的影响仅对高品牌显著度产品有效。研究结论为企业设计、推广产品提供了参考思路,并为有效遏制仿冒品的泛滥提供多元视角和启发。