System for protection of goods against counterfeiting

Abstract

A visible seal or label containing a serial number is placed in plain view on the product packaging. The visible label contains the serial number as well as a first public key encrypted version of the serial number. A second or hidden label inside of the package has thereon a second a second encrypted version of the serial number made using a second public key. The hidden label may be secured inside of the package out of sight or may be placed on the back of the visible label and therefore viewable through a transparent case when opened or visible when peeled off. The private keys are known only to the manufacturer. Using a corresponding public key provided by the manufacturer, the consumer, law enforcement agent, or customs inspector can verify that the encrypted version matches the serial number. An advantage to this method is that only the manufacturer can produce matching pairs. Moreover, using a point of sale machine equipped with the public key the sales clerk can authenticate the product in front of the consumer at point of purchase. Additionally, in the case of a CD or other digital medium, the hidden label may comprise a digital watermark of the encrypted serial number such that a consumer, law enforcement agency, or customs inspector can readily detect a counterfeit product.