Anti-counterfeit and consumer engagement solutions provider YPB Group Limited (ASX: YPB) has been granted a patent for its smartphone readable technology by the China Patent Office (SIPO).
YPB’s China patent (No. 201310109929.3) provides coverage over technologies employing a mobile device to determine the presence of a security tracer containing two or more light energy responsive materials and read by a smartphone using the camera and flash.
The patent further protects MotifMicro, the company’s revolutionary forensic anti-counterfeit solution that is readable by an unmodified smartphone to determine the authenticity of a product via confirmation of the presence of invisible tracer material(s).
Key coverage items of the Chinese patent include:
- An article identification system, for packaged goods sold to consumers manufactured and distributed by the genuine brand.
- A security tracer comprising at least two different light energy responsive materials within the UV visible and optional near infrared spectrum compounded, premixed or otherwise provided in a widely popular common substrate, including but not limited to polymers, surface coatings, inks, paints and textiles.
- It has the form of security marks that can be read by standard and commonly used handheld mobile communication devices connected to a mobile communication network / data transmission subsystem, including but not limited to wireless link or linked Internet connection connected to the Internet.
- To provide a convenient identification and system software download and update for the device, so that consumers can easily, safely and flexibly verify and identify authentic products from unqualified, illegally produced and / or illegally distributed products and related products and supply information before and / or at the time of purchase and / or after purchase.
The grant of the patent adds strong support to the USPTO Patent issued in October 2021 and supports the carrying value of the intellectual property of MotifMicro which is the largest asset on YPB’s balance sheet.
The patent granted comes after a rigorous and lengthy process conducted by the SIPO following the first lodgement in March 2013 which is the China priority date. The patent grant confirms the novelty and originality of YPB’s technology first conceived in 2013.
Since commercially launching MotifMicro1 in mid-2021, the company has signed trial agreements with Opal ANZ and Holographic Label Snd Bhd .
Executive Chairman, John Houston, said the patent grant provides further validation of the company’s market leadership in valuable smartphone anti-counterfeit technologies.
“This second smartphone related patent grant in 2021 is a further critical milestone for YPB. It confirms to shareholders the uniqueness of YPB’s ground-breaking lead in smartphone-based anti-counterfeit technologies. Smartphones are likely the only practical avenue for making forensic anti-counterfeit protection deployable in mass consumer markets.
“Obviously, the scale of this opportunity is vast and more than underwrites the carrying value of our key balance sheet asset MotifMicro. I’d also observe that the balance sheet does not reflect the value of the rest of our substantial, patent-protected intellectual property portfolio. YPB now has very broad IP protection across possible smartphone-based anti-counterfeit technologies with coverage of Phosphor, PLUS any smartphone readable technology using 2 or more materials in the UV and /or IR spectrums.
“From our extensive knowledge of these technologies around the world, we now have the widest IP protection that we could have hoped for. We are now intent on converting this privileged position into shareholder wealth.”
