DNA TO PROTECT OLYMPIC PRODUCTS

An Australian company has taken the lead in the fight against counterfeit products.

DNA Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd is pleased to announce its recent appointment as an official licensee for Product Security, Reporting, Policing and Research service for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Its unique identification system ensures that fake or counterfeit Sydney 2000 Olympic Games products are easily detected. Penny Baker, General Manager, Marketing and Image for the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) said: €Licensees are committed to aggressive guaranteed revenue to SOCOG for the rights to produce goods carrying the SOCOG and SPOC intellectual property. The agreement with DNA Technologies will assist in the protection of licensees products from counterfeit goods manufacturers up to and including the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games€.
This unique system developed by DNA Technologies uses DNA gene segments in combination with optical taggants in an ink based matrix. The material is applied by dedicated security printers and is detected by the company€s hand held scanners. Authentication in the retail store is a simple process and can lead to a quick conviction of counterfeiters as DNA, along with fingerprinting, is recognized in a court of law. Mr. Bruce Chapman, Chairman of DNA Technologies (Australia) and former Managing Director of 3M Far East and Chairman of 3M Australia, said that the SOCOG relationship was a world first and a major step forward in providing a very simple and cost effective means to protect against counterfeits. He also said that the company€s family of products included a DNA gene pen whose ink could contain the DNA of any person. When used for signing collectibles, it not only provides a means of authentication but significantly enhances the value of the product.
Recently, another world wide first was created when Dawn Fraser€s DNA was applied to a series of badges denoting her Olympic successes. The CEO of DNA Technologies (Australia), Mr. Ron Taylor, said that the company€s plans for research and expanded manufacturing are well advanced. He expects the technology to rapidly expand to international markets.