Nokia and SAP have announced plans to set up a company
to supply technology to combat piracy andcounterfeiting.
The company, to be known as Original1, will provide companies
with systems to authenticate and track their branded goods from the
point of manufacture to end user.
The systems will use a combination of SAP technologies,
including encryption, secure databases and tamper-proof product
codes on packaging.
Nokia will provide software for mobile authentication of goods
that has been used for its mobile authentication services
introduced in 2006.
Original1 will be headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, under the
leadership of Claudia Alsdorf, currently vice-president of SAP
Research, according to the
Financial Times.
Nokia and SAP have invested an undisclosed amount for a 40%
stake each in the company. German banknote printing company
Giesecke & Devrient will own the remaining 20%.
"Counterfeiting is a worldwide problem that is increasing and
affecting many successful companies in all industries," said
Alsdorf.