SpeedTap Tags Battle Counterfeiting and Enable Consumers to Authenticate Products
OSLO, Norway, June 28, 2016 - Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") (OSE: THIN.OL; OTCQX: TFECY), a global leader in printed electronics and smart systems, today announced a partnership with Maria&Donato, a craftsman leather-goods manufacturer and provider of premium handbags.
The two companies are integrating Thinfilm's NFC SpeedTap(TM) tags into Maria&Donato's exclusive handbag collections to battle counterfeiting and address growing concerns of fraud within the broader luxury goods market. The smartphone-readable NFC tags will also enable consumers to learn more about the brand and the product, and purchase limited-edition handbags online.
"We consider each of our Maria&Donato handbags to be works of art and, in that regard, product authentication is an important part of the customer experience," said Javier Villaverde, Maria&Donato's product development director. "Thinfilm's SpeedTap technology is a highly secure solution that improves our actual anti-counterfeiting system, and gives our loyal customers the assurance and satisfaction they expect when purchasing one of our unique handbags."
SpeedTap tags are thin, flexible labels that integrate with a product's packaging or label and can be read with the tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone. Each tag is uniquely identifiable and is virtually impossible to clone. Once tapped, the tag wirelessly communicates with the cloud, instantly delivering authentication messaging, serial numbers, and other relevant content from the brand or manufacturer.
"Luxury brands and other artisan manufacturers are often prime targets for counterfeiters, given the value and prestige associated with the products they produce," said Davor Sutija, Thinfilm's CEO. "Forward-thinking companies like Maria&Donato are taking action, and we are excited about the role SpeedTap will play in helping them address this important issue."
Maria&Donato will be demonstrating Thinfilm's SpeedTap anti-counterfeiting technology at Pure London, the UK's premier fashion tradeshow. The event runs from July 24-26 at London's Olympia exhibition center in West Kensington. The Maria&Donato exhibition booth will be located at stand T101 in the Premium Accessories Area.
About Thin Film Electronics ASA
Thinfilm is a leader in the development and commercialization of printed electronics. The first to commercialize printed, rewritable memory, the Company is creating printed systems that include memory, sensing, display, and wireless communication, all at a low cost unmatched by any other electronic technology. Thinfilm's roadmap integrates technology from a strong and growing ecosystem of partners to enable the Internet of Everything by bringing intelligence to disposable goods.
Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") is a publicly listed Norwegian company with headquarters in Oslo, Norway; product development and production in Linköping, Sweden; product development, production, and business development in San Jose, California, USA; and sales offices in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.thinfilm.no.
About Maria&Donato
Maria&Donato is a Spanish company that handcrafts ultra-luxurious handbags in limited editions. Each of their handbags is constructed with superb quality natural leather by skilled artisans who have generations of tradition in creating luxury leather goods. Each Maria&Donato creation is an exquisite, timeless design.
Maria&Donato has pioneered the insertion of authentication microchips in each bag they create. They carry out ongoing research in the development of new anti-counterfeiting technologies for each of their models as well as improving the materials they use. Maria&Donato prides itself in limiting their designs, making each of their handbags available at only the most exclusive points-of-sale in the world. For more information, visit www.mariadonato.com
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For more information on Thinfilm please contact:
Bill Cummings
SVP Corporate Communications
Thin Film Electronics ASA
+1 408-503-7312
bill.cummings@thinfilm.no
Jennifer Smith
Blanc & Otus for Thin Film Electronics ASA
+1 415-856-5152
jsmith@blancandotus.com
For more information on Maria&Donato please contact:
Javier Villaverde
Product Development Director and Chief Creative Officer
+34 629-438-343
javier@mariadonato.com