July 2010 | Volume 4 | Issue 11 www.homai.org The Holography Times An endeavour to protect products and people Bank survey reaffirms hologram’s role in BANKNOTES From brand protection, document authentication, pharma, currency to personal ID’s, hologram’s growing in recognition as most secure overt feature. The Holography Times is a quarterly newsletter published by www.homai.org Hologram Manufacturers Association of India (HoMAI). 1 The Holography Times Viewpoint ttention magnet, impossible to put down, visual magic, these are just some phrases used to describe hologram In this issue Aby a layman. In the last two months, several occurrences have strengthened News Bytes 4-6 the position of hologram in a layperson’s life. First, the Google doodle with hologram on June 5, 2010, that paid tribute to hologram inventor Dr. Dennis Gabor. The whole day, this hologram doodle was displayed on its search engine. This created a lot of buzz all across the world. Second was the report of a bank survey, which re-affi rmed the position of hologram as an effective visual device for banknotes. Although holograms have proved their importance in a bank Global currencies continue to bank note, being used by more than 100 issuing authorities and on the benefits of holography on over 250 banknote denominations worldwide, the fi ndings 7 have once again proved their acceptance. At a time, when it’s a challenge for bank note designers to fi nd anti-counterfeiting features, which can deter counterfeiters as Holographers To The Globe well as assist the visually impaired; the current issues talks HOLOSTIK INDIA LTD. on this line as “HOW GLOBAL CURRENCIES CONTINUE TO Commitment of being the best BANK ON THE BENEFITS OF HOLOGRAPHY”. 11 Besides this, there are regular features like Newsbytes, Patent News, and Industry updates to keep you informed. Holographic Registration Plates with GPRS As always, we value your comments and suggestions on this (HRPG) Network for issue of Holography Times. Sea-going Vessels to Augment the Coastal Security With Best Wishes! 12 C S Jeena Editor Tender Updates 16 Patents (India) 17 Patents (Global) 18 Upcoming Events 19 www.homai.org 3 The Holography Times News Bytes Bank survey reaffirms hologram’s role in banknotes he trade body representing The annual global volume of Tthe global hologram industry banknotes produced is more has welcomed a new fi nding than 125 billion*, so the reward which reaffi rms the hologram’s for hologram producers capable position as a pre-eminent security of providing the technology feature for banknotes. to overcome the technical challenges is potentially highly The International Hologram lucrative. Projections suggest the Manufacturers Association market for banknote holograms (IHMA) says that more than will be worth $205 million half of the people (55 per cent) in 2010, which is 36 per cent surveyed by The Dutch National increase on the 2007 fi gure – an Bank recognised holograms average of 7 per cent per annum. as an effective visual security device for banknotes, despite The IHMA believes the future the introduction of other anti will be largely determined by the counterfeiting technologies. ability of new forms of optically variable technologies to displace Holograms scored ahead of holograms as an effective yet features like iridescent strips (2 low cost authentication device per cent) and colour changing but other factors are in play inks (3 per cent) in the survey, too, including their continuing which examined people’s recall use on existing notes despite of banknote security features. the emergence of competing technologies. Ian Lancaster, IHMA general secretary, said: “The fi ndings are Here, the capacity for holography welcome news as they support to hold its own against other the fact that holography continues technologies will depend on to be a highly effective, highly pushing the boundaries of fl exible weapon in the ongoing innovation even further. For battle to thwart banknote example, its ability to display counterfeiters and fraudsters. effects on either side of the note through windows or threads “People are still reassured by will be a useful benefi t. The the presence of holograms on biggest opportunity will come banknotes and recognise the through growth in the overall benefi ts they provide. “Clearly, usage of banknotes as larger holography continues to hold a issuing authorities either adopt vital place in currency security holograms for the fi rst time while at the same time we are or extend their use to further seeing strong interest from banks denominations. and central governments for * The Holopack-Holoprint® new ways for this versatile and Industry updates durable technology to be used.” Source: www.ihma.org 4 www.homai.org News Bytes The Holography Times Holograms to ensure safe liquor he Meghalaya state government in check leakage of revenue during his TIndia will ensure that holograms are presentation of Budget for 2010-11. pasted on liquor and beer bottles sold in the state for quality control. “ The introduction Holograms are used globally, as they of holograms on liquor bottles was aimed are highly versatile and essentially overt at preventing the entry of spurious liquor features that can be recognised and into the state. The move would help the verifi ed by the common man (public). As state revenue department to achieve a of 2007, more than 27 countries (46 per target of generating Rs 100 crore revenue cent of total using tax stamp) are using by March 2011, Commissioner of Excise hologram on their liquor stamps. Mr J A Lyngdoh said. “The excise revenue in 2009-10 was Rs 89 crore but with the In India, Meghalaya is the only state in introduction of hologram, the department the North-East to introduce hologram on may even cross Rs 110 crore”. IMFL products after some other states like Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya The step was come after Meghalaya Deputy Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Chhatisgarh and Chief Minister, incharge of Finance, Rajasthan are already availing benefi t of Dr Mukul Sangma, had recently proposed this technology. to introduce holograms in the state, to Source: www.telegraphindia.com Centre asks states to form panels to curb illegal mining he Centre has asked all state across the states, while the magnitude The states have also been asked Tgovernments to constitute high- of the problem is so great that as many to track the movement of vehicles level committees to crack down on as 42,000 cases were detected in 11- carrying minerals, and use bar codes illegal mining and intensify the drive mineral bearing states last year. and holograms on transport permits. against the menace. “In the wake of a Other directions, she said, include the large number of illegal mining cases The states have also collection of information from ports, coming to the fore, we have asked been asked to track the customs authorities and the Ministry all states to immediately constitute of Commerce on export of ores and coordination-cum-empowered movement of vehicles compulsory registration of all end- committees,” Mines Secretary Santha carrying minerals, and use users to check payment of royalty Sheela Nair said. She said that these before purchase of ores. The state committees, in line with a similar bar codes and holograms governments have also been asked to panel at the Centre, would prepare on transport permits. fi nalize mineral concessions faster. action plans to prevent illegal mining. The Centre has asked the states to Ms. Nair said that though the move So far, only nine states Andhra report all instances of illegal mining to curb illegal mining may result in Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, and use satellite imagery to detect a slight dip in iron ore production, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, such activities. It had also asked for it would increase in time due to the Rajasthan and West Bengal have cells to be set up to monitor price opening of new mines. The country constituted committees to address trends, as a spurt in prices is usually produced 226 million tonnes of iron issues such as illegal mining and faster linked to increased illegal mining ore in the last fi scal. Meanwhile, processing of mineral concessions. activities. “We have directed states a provision that has been added to to set up cells to monitor iron and the new mining legislation states The states were told that the manganese ore prices, as a spurt in that anyone found guilty of illegal committees should be headed by prices often indicates an increase in mining will be debarred from doing either chief secretaries or additional mining activities. We have found that it anywhere in the country. chief secretaries. At present, there a lot of mining takes place using legal are not enough legal provisions for licenses for mining in areas other than Source: Business Line, Delhi Central intervention in illegal mining specifi ed,” Ms. Nair said. www.homai.org 5 The Holography Times News Bytes NASA’s anti-counterfeiting measures fall short and impacting the businesses of legitimate component manufacturers. “The effort it takes to get astronauts one step further into space is immense, so the fact that counterfeiters have penetrated our space exploration and defense programs is a shock and certainly raises concerns,” said Phil Huff, chief executive offi cer of BrandWatch Technologies. “Unfortunately, globalization has made it more diffi cult than ever to control the millions of parts and sources within supply chains, including those that support NASA. The only way to truly protect legitimate companies and the integrity of their parts, and enforce NASA’s compliance and safety standards, is through proactive product authentication.” In response to its counterfeit problems, NASA adopted SAE AS5553, an aerospace parts standard issued in ortland, Ore., — While battling counterfeiters is 2009.