Anti-Counterfeiting

Anti-counterfeiting encompasses technologies and systems that prevent unauthorized reproduction of products, tickets, and certificates. The global counterfeit market is estimated at $500 billion annually. QR codes are rapidly adopted as a low-cost anti-counterfeiting measure, especially in emerging markets.

The basic mechanism assigns a unique serial number per product in a QR code. When scanned, an authentication server verifies authenticity. Multiple scans of the same serial trigger a counterfeit warning. SQRC (Security QR Code) adds an encrypted data area readable only by dedicated readers, making code duplication more difficult.

However, standard QR codes can be copied by simply photographing them, so QR codes alone are insufficient. Effective protection combines QR codes with physical measures like hologram seals, special inks, and microtext. Placing QR codes in locations accessible only after opening (inside packaging, under seals) further deters counterfeiting of sealed products.