[Printers] 2002 Xerox statement

[Seth David Schoen]

I totally forgot about this.  I asked Xerox for a statement on this
technology over three years ago, and I got one:


Message-Id: <200201042030.MAA04241 at godzilla.ADOC.xerox.com>
Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 12:30:02 -0800
To: <schoen at loyalty.org>
Subject: Re: Feedback Serial numbers in color photocopies  (KMM604487V76186L0KM)
From: Webmaster for Xerox <webmaster at xerox.com>
Reply-To: Webmaster for Xerox <webmaster at xerox.com>

Hello Seth,

Thank you for your message. 

Governments recognize that criminals can use color copying technology =
to
create counterfeit currency that could be harmful to the world =
currency 
system. Since the early Nineties, government agencies worldwide, 
including the US Secret Service, have worked in cooperation with each 
other and with International organizations, such as the Bank of 
International Settlements, to forestall counterfeiting.

There are two types of counterfeit deterrent software: currency 
recognition and tracking. Some color copiers incorporate a system that =

recognizes currencies. When a counterfeiter attempts to copy a bill, =
the
copier will produce a defective copy of the currency. The tracking 
system is similar to an automobile license plate as it is used by =
motor 
vehicle agencies and law enforcement officers. It enables the source =
of 
the image or document to be identified.

The Secret Service has the ability to track a particular document to =
the
source equipment that has produced a suspect image. This information =
is 
used for criminal investigation purposes only. The Secret Service does =

not provide this information to private individuals or companies, nor =
do
they allow other parties to access this information. To detail how =
these
anti-counterfeiting systems work would only encourage the illegal acts =

they are designed to prevent.

If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Thank You,
James
Webmaster Mail Team
The Document Company - Xerox
http://www.xerox.com

Case ID: 210116
Subject: Feedback Serial numbers in color photocopies
From: schoen at loyalty.org
Date Received: 1/4/02




Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Topic:  Serial numbers in color photocopies

Comments:  Is it correct that Xerox color photocopiers 
include a copier serial number in their output 
to deter counterfeiting? This issue has become 
current again because of a discussion about 
serial numbers in compact discs.


Name:  Seth Schoen


Email:  schoen at loyalty.org






-- 
Seth Schoen
Staff Technologist                                schoen at eff.org
Electronic Frontier Foundation                    http://www.eff.org/
454 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, CA  94110     1 415 436 9333 x107