ITI Techmedia, an organisation that develops market-driven intellectual property for the Scottish economy, is announcing its second R&D programme.
The ITI aims to develop what it calls an end-to-end system solution, and the component technologies required, to protect brands and combat what it describes as a growing global counterfeit epidemic. Independent figures on the current value of the market for counterfeit goods estimate it to have reached 700 billion US dollars worldwide, and with this number only expected to grow, brand owners are actively seeking ways to defend their products, the organisation reports. ITI Techmedia aims to develop a machine-readable security tagging solution for the detection of counterfeit products. The tags can be attached to goods – anything from CDs, DVDs and designer clothing to replacement parts for aircrafts and cars. Initial analysis by ITI Techmedia indicates that the market for machine-readable taggant technology could be as high as 820 million US dollars by 2010. The ITI will engage the services of a number of research providers. Pira International is one organisation providing research input into the programme in the early stages. Pira is a commercial consultancy which specialises in retail supply chain technologies related to industries such as packaging, paper, plastics, printing, publishing and consumer goods.
Robert Gordon University is also being announced as a key player in the multi-million pound programme. Each organisation will be involved in the initial stages of the programme – in the identification and analysis of potential taggant solutions to meet the market opportunity. Further research providers are being identified and will be integrated into the programme in due course, ITI adds. It says that the objective is to develop a system that will provide varying degrees of product security and allow solutions to be offered to the market at a price point commensurate with the product being protected. David Creed, CEO of ITI Techmedia said: “Our market analysis tells us that there is a significant opportunity to develop a market-leading solution in the fight against counterfeit products and Scotland has the right selection of skills and expertise to help create it. The chance to become involved in the development of a complete system offers organisations who participate in the programme the potential to create significant competitive advantage in their market.”
What they say
Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace, said of the programme announcement: "The spread of counterfeit goods is clearly damaging not only the Scottish economy, but economies across the world. ITI Techmedia has identified that Scotland can position itself at the leading edge of measures to tackle piracy, counterfeiting and the damage it causes. This innovative programme will consider how best to deliver a solution, not only for the benefit of brand managers but for consumers, no matter where they live."
About the organisation
ITI Techmedia describes itself as a member-based organisation that identifies, develops and manages commercially driven intellectual property in Scotland.
