Dutch track counterfeits via printer serial numbers

Authorities worldwide can track down counterfeiters with a hidden feature in color laser printers. Every print contains a hidden code containing information about the printer it was printed on.

It's unknown how many authorities and government agencies are aware of this hidden feature and are using it to trace counterfeiters. What is for sure is that Dutch police forces know about the possibility and have solved cases with help from printer manufacturers.

Although modern printers are distinguished by the label their manufacturers give them, the insides aren't that different from one another. This is because their print engines are made by only a few companies, such as Toshiba Corp., Canon Inc. and Ricoh Co. Ltd. It is the engine that has its own identity that can be traced.

It appears that although consumers aren't aware of the hidden code on their color prints, government agencies are. And they are using this knowledge in their battle against counterfeiters -- with help from well-known printer manufacturers.

Security

Canon is one of the companies willing to cooperate with authorities. Not to battle counterfeiters, but to 'protect their customers.'

"Canon takes the issue of security extremely seriously," said Anna McIntyre, PR manager at Canon Europe. "That is why Canon feels that early prevention is crucial and has fitted all its color machines with anti-counterfeit detection technology."

"Canon works closely with the relevant national and international authorities to ensure that the opportunities for its products to be misused are minimized. With security becoming increasingly important to businesses, Canon strives to ensure all its products leave organizations confident in the knowledge that its printer/copiers can only be used to produce legal documentation."

Sources familiar with the printer industry confirm this built-in security is in fact a unique number that is printed on every color page. The code, in yellow, can be printed on a line as thin as 0.1 millimeter.

With help from manufacturers like Canon, authorities can gather information about the printer used in counterfeit crimes. The number tells them in which country a specific printer has been delivered, and to what dealer. The dealer then can lead them to the local computer store where the printer was sold.

Success

"We are familiar with this research method," said Ed Kraszewski of the Dutch national police agency KLPD. "We are using it in our research and it has proven to be successful in the past."

Even though the spokesman cannot detail what kind of successes or in what cases the agency is using this method now, anonymous sources confirm that the Dutch Railway Police, part of the KLPD, is investigating a gang that could be counterfeiting tickets on a large scale.

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