Internet community based counterfeit and grey market combating method
First Claim
1. A processor-based method for combating counterfeiting and gray market, comprising the steps of:
- accessing, via a secure communication link, a web platform comprising a network-connected server on which software that provides functionalities for the method executes;
generating, using the web platform, a unique identifier (“
UID”
) for every product unit being produced by a manufacturer;
saving the UID in a database that is part of the web platform;
communicating the UID to the manufacturer;
associating the UID with a product unit such that the UID is physically hidden;
verifying the authenticity of the UID, after the UID was uncovered and sent to the web platform using a device capable of communication with the web platform by a third party who received the product unit;
automatically registering the third party in the manufacturer'"'"'s product community, which is a social media based community comprising members who previously received a product unit and sent its UID to the web platform; and
, sending a message from the web platform to the third party'"'"'s device indicating whether or not the verified UID is authentic.
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Abstract
A method for combating counterfeiting and gray market is provided, the method including the steps of accessing a web platform comprising a network-connected server on which software that provides functionalities for the method executes, generating a unique identifier (“UID”) for every product unit being produced by a manufacturer, saving the UID in a database that is part of the web platform, communicating the UID to the manufacturer, associating the UID with a product unit such that the UID is hidden; verifying the authenticity of the UID, and, sending a message from the web platform indicating whether or not the verified UID is authentic.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A processor-based method for combating counterfeiting and gray market, comprising the steps of:
- accessing, via a secure communication link, a web platform comprising a network-connected server on which software that provides functionalities for the method executes;
generating, using the web platform, a unique identifier (“
UID”
) for every product unit being produced by a manufacturer;
saving the UID in a database that is part of the web platform;
communicating the UID to the manufacturer;
associating the UID with a product unit such that the UID is physically hidden;
verifying the authenticity of the UID, after the UID was uncovered and sent to the web platform using a device capable of communication with the web platform by a third party who received the product unit;
automatically registering the third party in the manufacturer'"'"'s product community, which is a social media based community comprising members who previously received a product unit and sent its UID to the web platform; and
, sending a message from the web platform to the third party'"'"'s device indicating whether or not the verified UID is authentic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- accessing, via a secure communication link, a web platform comprising a network-connected server on which software that provides functionalities for the method executes;
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18. A system for combating counterfeiting and gray market, comprising at least one network-connected server with which at least one manufacturer, customers of the at least one manufacturer and third parties can be communicatively coupled, and software executing on the at least one network-connected server, such that the system is capable of:
- allowing access to it, via a secure communication link, for the purpose of using its functionalities;
generating a unique identifier (“
UID”
) for every product unit being produced by the at least one manufacturer;
saving the UID in a database;
communicating the UID to the at least one manufacturer for associating the UID with a product unit such that the UID is physically hidden;
verifying the authenticity of the UID when the UID is sent to the system by a sender;
when the sender is one of the customers of the at least one manufacturer, automatically registering the sender in the at least one manufacturer'"'"'s product community, which is a social media based community comprising as members senders who previously sent a UID associated with the respective product to the system; and
, sending a message to the UID sender indicating whether or not the verified UID is authentic. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
- allowing access to it, via a secure communication link, for the purpose of using its functionalities;
Specification