In the mid-2010s, a series of large agriscience companies introduced a range of technologies to help tackle counterfeit agricultural products. Among them was Supply Chain Track and Trace (SCTT) and Innovative Product Label Technology, both from BASF, together with DuPont’s Izon® holographic label and Bayer CropScience’s mobile app.

In April, Amazon released its third annual brand protection report, with an update of activities to ensure authenticity of goods sold in its store, and to fight bad actors.

In September this year, Reconnaissance International will release a new publication – ‘Smartphones for Authentication’ – the only publication of its kind.

The EU is currently reviewing its circular economy rules, with the intention of making green products the norm in the bloc’s single market.

Looking back over the year that was, a number of key developments, covered in this newsletter during 2022, stand out in terms of their innovation and potential opportunities (or threats, as the case may be).

A review of this year's headlines.

Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has announced that the social platform will launch a revamped account verification service at the beginning of December, including the allocation of different colour-coded ticks to verified individuals, government entities, and companies.

A growing theme within the pages of Authentication & Brand News™ is the trend for technology providers of brand protection and authentication services to expand the usefulness of their offerings to include traceability of raw and recycled materials.

Some brand owners don’t register their trademark and other intellectual property in China because they assume that a trademark registration in Europe or the US will provide some protection. However, a registration outside China does not provide any rights to use a mark within China, although recent changes to the legislation might offer greater protection.

What should have been a triumphant finale to the European football season descended into chaos as police fired tear gas and pepper spray at supporters in advance of the Champions League Final in Paris. What role did ticket fraud play in creating the chaotic scenes that were televised around the world as the kick off was delayed by more than half an hour?