METHOD OF PREVENTING COUNTERFEITING OF ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

A method for verifying the source of an article of manufacture. A label having information relating to the article is prepared and digital ly signed or otherwise encrypted to authenticate the information. The label and a tangible representation of the digital signature or other encrypted information are then securely associated with the article. The information relating to the article can include verifying information such as an expiration date, unique identification of the article, identification of an authorized provider of the article or a description of the article to protect against unauthorized use of duplicate labels. The label can also include an unreproduceable pattern such as a pattern of magnetic fibers embedded in the label and a digitally signed description of the pattern.