AlpVision's 2009 fiscal year results.

During its annual shareholders’ meeting, AlpVision’s president, Dr. Martin Kutter, informed the shareholders that the company had maintained its profitability in 2009 despite the gloomy economy. The perspectives for 2010 are excellent due to a slight shift forward of various projects. The payroll continued to increase consistently with the firm demand for software development and maintenance from the Forbes 2000 companies relying on AlpVision’s anti-counterfeiting solutions, both On-Packaging (Cryptoglyph®) and On-Product/On-Dosage (Fingerprint™).

This very healthy situation provides AlpVision the means to further expand its IP portfolio, thus protecting its clients’ investment in AlpVision’s patented technology.

AlpVision will participate to the Global GS1 healthcare Conference, June 22-24, Geneva, Switzerland.

The pharmaceutical industry is an important part of the AlpVision customers’ portfolio for delivering proven product authentication solutions.

New regulations are under discussion or implementation, which are related to traceability of medicine doses. Now a more and more clear differentiation between serialization of production items and authentication processes has been finally identified by the various pharma intervening parties.

Serialization should provide traceability in case of product withdrawal or market diversion for example while authentication should enable identifying genuine medicine from fake ones, even correctly serialized. AlpVision will delegate a representative to contribute to workshops where these questions will be debated.

Another important US patent granted to AlpVision.

Another important patent, part of AlpVision’s portfolio of 35 patents has been granted in the USA, March 23, 2010.

The patent (No. 7,684,088) describes a process to prevent counterfeiting or alteration of a printed or engraved surface, characterized by the incorporation of a signature of the form of a digital mark into parts or the entire document, and in particular a digital mark technology to hide information in an invisible way through over-printing by using a method called asymmetric amplitude modulation.

This method can be applied to any type of printed material such as paper, packaging, or any other surface. Visible information can also be printed over the digital mark. It applies to packaging, labeling, carton and aluminum foils as well as value documents.

Digimarc and AlpVision Join Forces with Worldwide Strategic License Agreement.

Beaverton, OR USA and Vevey, Switzerland – April 30, 2010 – Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC) a leading supplier of digital watermarking technologies and solutions, and AlpVision, an emerging leader in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting solutions headquartered in Switzerland, are joining forces with a worldwide strategic license agreement.

The agreement enables Digimarc to benefit from AlpVision’s expertise in brand protection security solutions and provides to AlpVision a gateway to the U.S. market.

Download the complete Press Release in English

Important US patent granted to AlpVision.

An important patent, part of AlpVision’s portfolio of 35 patents has been granted in the USA, applying to the use of low resolution office document scanners for detection of high security Cryptoglyph based on extremely small dots invisible to the naked eye, printed with regular visible ink.

Intellectual Property (IP) is a key value of AlpVision and is part of its royalty based business model. AlpVision protects with patents all IP related to new security related technologies and new applications of security technologies through project development, studies and system enhancements. This strategy enables the AlpVision’s customers to rely on a robust and sustainable technology, thus protecting their investment in AlpVision’s anti-counterfeiting solutions.

New AlpVision's Fingerprint(TM) application enables detection of counterfeiting and remarking of Integrated Circuits (ICs).

Using a simple off-the-shelf flatbed scanner, instant verification is performed online, anywhere, anytime. An image of the upper surface of the case is sent to a Krypsos(TM) secured server, where it is automatically compared with reference images stored in a database, allowing identification of the ICs of the original manufacturer. The AlpVision solution protects current ICs in stock, those already distributed in the supply chain and the ones already implemented before the deployment of the Fingerprin(TM) anti-counterfeiting program.

AlpVision will speak and exhibit at Pharmapack Feb. 1-2, 2010 in Paris.

Under the theme of "How innovations in Packaging and Drug Delivery Packaging Enhance Health product Safety", AlpVision was selected to present his anti-counterfeiting solutions on Moday Feb. 1st, 2010, at 12.30 under the title of "Low-cost effective invisible anti-counterfeiting solutions to protect primary and secondary packaging and labels, as well as the tablet itself", during the session devoted to "Safety and traceability of pharmaceutical packaging : fight against counterfeits".

A few Pharma items protected by AlpVision.

AlpVision is using WebEx for online meetings.

AlpVision selected WebEx for delivering real-time on-demand interactive web conferencing. This powerful interactive web technology allows AlpVision to demonstrate live its various solutions for protecting packaging and products against counterfeiting.

WebEx enables AlpVision to perform worldwide live demonstrations just using a phone and an Internet connection, this to show how simple flatbed scanners or camera phones can authenticate brand products worldwide.

New Fingerprint(TM) application to uncover branded shoe counterfeits, using a common "off-the-shelf" flatbed scanner.

Under its constant and unswerving commitment to bring innovative solutions based on demand, AlpVision has developed a very simple solution to uncover counterfeits for a major manufacturer of branded shoes.

An image of part of the sole, processed using the Fingerprint(TM) proprietary digital imaging software, is enough to identify the production of all shoes made using the same sole mould. The "Genuine or Fake" verification is performed worldwide using a common flatbed scanner. This solution applies to any shoe having a moulded sole.

AlpVision's anti-counterfeiting solutions receive the sustainability label at PackExpo.

Within the context of its imminent presence at PackExpo 2009, Las Vegas, USA, Oct. 5-7, stand S-5149, AlpVision has been awarded the "sustainability label", in recognition of its Brand Protection Solutions which protect packaging and labelling against counterfeiting without any extra energy consumption compared to non-protected packaging or labelling.

This recognition creates unique positioning for AlpVision, set against the numerous anti-counterfeiting solutions involving extra security features which incur additional energy consumption in the packaging and labelling production lines.

As sustainability becomes a key industry issue, AlpVision is very proud that its anti-counterfeiting solutions generate no extra energy consumption, nor extra production cost, thereby fully complying with strict sustainability requirements.

AlpVision's 2008 fiscal year results.

During its annual shareholders meeting, President, Dr. Martin Kutter, has informed the AlpVision's shareholders of the 36% turnover increase compared to 2007 and the 35.6% increase of the resulting operating profit (EBIT) showed over 2007, despite a significant increase of the payroll to support the growth.

Dr. Kutter also mentioned the further deployment of the AlpVision's brand protection solutions to cover more products in more geographical locations, with for the first time a significant contribution resulting from the new patented Fingerprint(TM) technology.

This solution has an enormous potential for identifying counterfeits of molded and stamped parts without additional marking; based on imaging references captured at the manufacturing and stored in a secured server, Fingerprint(TM) uses a simple office scanner or a mobile phone camera to identify counterfeits in the field worldwide. This solution also applies for medicinal tablets.

Decision was made to participate at EuroMold 2009 in Frankfort, Germany, Dec. 2009 to showcase the Fingerprint(TM) solution to the molding world, which concerns numerous industries, such as automotive, aerospace, sanitary facilities, toys, electrical and electronics appliances, etc.

AlpVision has developed a simple and easy to use Cryptoglyph Quality Control system for packaging printers.

The number of printers producing packaging protected by Cryptoglyph, the AlpVision machine readable covert security features for manufacturers of branded products, is increasing considerably. In response to the demand, AlpVision has developed a new stand-alone Cryptoglyph quality control system that printers can use during production runs. This system enables printers to quickly check the quality of the printed Cryptoglyph, which is typically required by good manufacturing practices applied, for example, in the pharmaceutical industries.

The secrecy of the covert feature is not endangered, because two encryption keys are used: One key embedded in the new Cryptoglyph quality control system enables decoding of the public part of the covert feature used for quality control; the other key is kept secret on the Krypsos(TM) secured server and remains only known to the branded product manufacturer using a Cryptoglyph license.

AlpVision strengthens its presence in mechanical industries, both at Baselworld and Aerospace Manufacturing in Stuttgart.

AlpVision launched new solutions at Baselworld 2009 - Basel, Switzerland: using an off-the-shelf USB microscope to distinguish counterfeit solid parts from authentic ones, without additional marking on the parts and with no incremental production costs.

AlpVision demonstrated as a world première, how to identify a genuine dial through the watch glass, without any dismantling being necessary. It also demonstrated in Stuttgart how a simple office scanner can authenticate electromechanical parts.

Download the complete Baselworld Press Release in English or French.

World première from AlpVision unveiled at INTERPHEX 2009:
Detect counterfeit tablets with an ordinary office scanner.

AlpVision launched a new solution as a world première at INTERPHEX 2009 - New York: using an ordinary office scanner it is now possible to distinguish counterfeit tablets from authentic ones, without additional marking on the tablets and with no incremental production costs.

AlpVision expands its line of covert anti-counterfeiting solutions applied to primary packaging (blister packs), secondary packaging (folding boxes) and labels with one that is applied to the tablet itself.

Download the complete Press Release in English, French or German.

Videos from this year's Pharmapack:
AlpVision interview.

Thanks to Decisionnewsmedia who delegated its video team to Pharmapack Paris, Jan. 21-22, AlpVision had the opportunity to discuss the importance of brand authenticity for medicines and was able to clearly differentiate product identification and pedegree programs versus product authentication and the uncover of fraudulent market diversion programs.

If products identification needs standardization and interoperability because pharmaceutical products of various manufacturers are mixed in many points of the supply chain, on the contrary authentication needs secrecy and cannot be standardized, especially if covert solutions are used.

Click here to watch the video (7.3 Mb).

AlpVision published the first issue of a bi-monthly electronic Newsletter.

In order to provide important information to customers as well as anyone interested in Brand Protection and Document Security. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, please fill in the form at the Newsletter dedicated web page.

Headlines of this first issue are:

AlpVision was successful at "Emballage - Pack the World" in Paris by attracting numerous visitors to view the range of Cryptoglyph covert anti-counterfeiting solutions.

AlpVision showcased its Cryptoglyph digital covert solutions, used for protecting packaging and labeling against counterfeiting. Numerous visitors from the packaging industry and product manufacturers were attracted by Cryptoglyph's seamless integration in existing production flows with no extra production cost.

AlpVision presented its Fingerprint authentication and serialization solutions for solid parts, without marking at "Traçabilité" Paris - France.

AlpVision showcased its Fingerprint(TM) digital authentication and serialization solutions for solid parts. AlpVision co-sponsored the afternoon conference on "Counterfeiting" which gathered a numerous public looking for recent development and solutions provided by various suppliers.

AlpVision had the opportunity to present its unique patented proposal to use intrinsic microstructures observed on various materials (metal, plastic, leather, etc.) to identify unique products, using off-the-shelf digital imaging capture devices such as low cost office scanners, consumer electronics digital cameras, mobile phones or USB microscopes.

AlpVision presented its digital authentication solutions at the "Third Authentication Connections Forum 2008" in Prague, Czech Republic.

AlpVision presented its turnkey security and brand protection solutions which are based on digital analysis of images and the detection of signals that have a very low signal to noise ratio. For durable goods, such as watches, jewellery, mechanical parts or electromechanical components, AlpVision presented read-only solutions which cannot be falsified. These solutions, sold under the name of Fingerprint(TM), enable identification of originals through image capture of the object in normal light, followed by analysis of the result in comparison with the manufacturer's product database.

With 35 patents issued or pending, AlpVision has developed breakthrough solutions setting up new low cost standards allowing brand owners to get rapid return on investment for their brand protection and product authentication programs.

AlpVision announced protecting leather objects against counterfeiting.

Luxury leather goods are exposed to massive counterfeiting worldwide and people who believe they are buying genuine objects in good faith ultimately will enjoy a fake product paid for at around the price of a genuine one.

The AlpVision Fingerprint(TM) individual authentication process applies in this case. Authentication is completed remotely via standard image capture devices connected to Internet or Mobile networks, avoiding the time delay and the cost of sending a suspicious object back to the brand owner for examination by experts.

Download the complete Press Release both in English and French.

AlpVision was a Silver Sponsor of the "Securing the Pharma Supply Chain" conference in Amsterdam.

AlpVision helped the specialists among the speakers and participants to get together and exchange their views on the complex question of how best to secure the pharma supply chain in the interest of patient safety.

AlpVision took the opportunity to present its Krypsos(TM) solution offereing a single point of contact for the supply chain and providing management of anti-counterfeiting measures and the means to uncover grey markets. The use of only regular visible ink for production of covert (invisible to the naked eye) marking amazed the pharma specialists present. Similarly, they were impressed by the use of standard low cost office scanner or PDA phone to authenticate primary and secondary packaging both online and off-line. See the complete list of speakers who attended the event.

AlpVision exhibited at the European Automotive Components EXPO '08 in Stuttgart, Germany to showcase its Fingerprint technology used to identify genuine solid objects from fake ones.

Visitors to Stuttgart were able to see the full spectrum of the latest automotive components.

AlpVision took the opportunity to present its new Fingerprint Read-Only brand protection solution which cannot be falsified. On booth 4000, Hall 3, AlpVision demonstrated how to identify genuine spark plugs and oil filters from fake ones, using a standard USB microscope in normal light (see image) and a regular office scanner to capture an image for product authentication. Download the complete Press Release.

During the Americas Technology Summit for Pharma Packaging 2008 at San Jose Puerto Rico, AlpVision demonstrated in public "genuine or fake" detection using an ordinary off-line PDA camera, just as simply as taking a family photograph.

Sponsored by industry leaders National Label and MeadWestvaco (MWV), the event was attended by participants from the leading pharmaceutical players worldwide. See the full program here.

AlpVision took the opportunity to present its mature covert Cryptoglyph brand protection solutions, including unique technology with superior performance comprising micro holes generated in a varnish layer applied with a flexographic printing process. View the short video showing how the off-line image capture is done with an ordinary PDA. (2 MB video).

AlpVision best performing covert security feature produced at zero production cost! Another AlpVision premiere at the sixth annual Pharma Packaging and Labelling event in Amsterdam, March 26, 2008.

AlpVision, the leading supplier of digital imaging solutions for brand protection and document security, already protecting over a billion branded products worldwide, has transformed desire into reality: the application of a feature providing a very high level of covert security for packaging and labelling at zero production cost.

No special ink, no taggants, no extra security features: just a pattern of micro holes invisible to the naked eye, generated in the varnish layer within standard printing processes (rotogravure, flexography, offset). The covert security feature is produced without any change in the production process and without alteration of the production speed. The process even saves a small percentage of the varnish ink compared to the printing of the same packaging or labelling without the covert protection. Download the complete Press Release.

AlpVision announced a strong growth in the results for 2007: a double digit increase for both turnover and EBIT, as well as an increase in net earnings ratio.

2007 proved to be a signal year for the acceptance of AlpVision's solutions by leaders in the pharmaceutical and mass market consumer products industries which count among the 100 largest companies in the world.

The turnover increased 42% compared to 2006 and the resulting operating profit (EBIT) amounted 2.3 million Swiss francs (2.2 million US dollars), a 83% increase over 2006, thus assuring the means to internally finance the further development of the company.

Download the complete Press Release both in English and French.

AlpVision received a commendation at the PISEC 07 trade show in London for its development of authenticity products, a category of the PISEC Awards contest.

Amongst the 25 companies entering the contest, AlpVision received the commendation for its major contribution in developing covert security with standard printing processes and normal ink.

The Jury highlighted that AlpVision solutions were now open to end consumers using standard home PC equipment and basic image capture devices such as flatbed scanners, PDA phones or webcams. This opens up a new era for security products in the hands of end consumers, as well as new applications for the fast developing mobile commerce sector.

AlpVision is proud to see its consistent approach receive recognition at PISEC 07 and will continue to develop innovative digital imaging based security solutions for brand and document protection.

AlpVision announces the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance for its Krypsos(TM) open platform to combat counterfeits.

For major deployments, which will bring covert protection to over a billion products worldwide by first quarter 2008, AlpVision Krypsos successfully achieved compliance with the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for Electronic Records and Electronic Signatures (ERES) issued by the Department of Health and Human Services of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Krypsos online authentication solution enables branded product manufacturers to provide their supply chain with a single point of contact for both fraud detection and genuine product authentication. It also provides valuable logistics data, such as gray market consolidation, and can generate helpful online notifications for mobile commerce. See details or Download press releases in PDF format: English - Français - Deutsch.

AlpVision exhibited at Intergraf 2007, 11th Security Suppliers' Exhibition in Nice (France).

Since 1991 an exhibition has been organised alongside the Security Printers' Conference. It offers printers and suppliers the opportunities to present their technology and know-how. 70 companies were advertising their newest products at Nice.

On its booth No 44, AlpVision demonstrated its full range of covert document and brand protection solutions using standard ink and standard printing equipment. The very selected visitors were amongst government printers, security printers and system integrators coming from all over the world to gather in a high professional environment. A series of more relax events favouring exchange of views and first class networking held also at Nice. AlpVision was proud to see its solutions considered as a real breakthrough, opening new perspectives in security printing, using software and digital imaging technology.

AlpVision exhibited at FachPack / PrintPack 2007 in Nurnberg (Germany) at Anti-Counterfeiting Packaging Special Show.

FachPack / Printpack is one of the most important packaging exhibition in Central Europe. This year it attracted 1,326 exhibitors on 48,600 m2 from Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium and other European countries.

For the first time a special show dedicated to Anti-Counterfeiting Packaging Solutions was organized in hall 7, where visitors could compare various covert and overt solutions from leading brand protection firms. Once again, the Cryptoglyph unique covert Brand Protection solution of AlpVision, using only standard ink and standard packaging production lines, attracted numerous visitors from various industries especially pharmaceuticals, manufacturing as well as packaging.

AlpVision joined BASCAP - Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy as an active member of its Brand Protection Directory.

"Counterfeiting and piracy are spiraling out of control. The drain on our businesses and on the global economy is now significant. It has resulted in the widespread loss of lawful employment and a massive reduction of tax revenues. The creative community is robbed of reward for effort and innovation. The incentive to invest is reduced. Consumers are increasingly being harmed by unsafe counterfeit products. All signals also point to linkages with organized crime." Jean-René Fourtou, BASCAP co-chair.

AlpVision is proud to support BASCAP, the International Chamber of Commerce® initiative, as an active member of its Brand Protection Directory. AlpVision will contribute as much as possible to share its expertise of protecting hundreds of millions of products worldwide with its covert anti-counterfeiting solutions.

AlpVision was invited by Dividella and its printing division Rondo from 21-22 June to Grabs, Switzerland, for the first Open House organized by the company in Europe.

Dividella is a renowned international company specializing in the development and manufacture of machinery for the pharmaceutical industry. Hundreds of packaging specialists responded to the invitation, as well as some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. The morning conferences, afternoon visits to AlpVision booth and the evening social event enabled AlpVision and Rondo to strengthen ties and coordinate with each other. They also discussed security solutions with pharmaceutical companies.

For any question regarding this event, feel free to contact AlpVision's Communications Manager Roland Meylan at +4121 948 6464, ext. 15

AlpVision attended the Autopromotec fair in Bologna (Italy)

Autopromotec is an international event gathering automobile spare parts manufacturers every other year. This show allowed AlpVision to deepen discussions with major players on anti-counterfeiting measures being taken to protect both consumers and companies against this plague.

"In contrast to previous years, there is an obvious recognition by the largest manufacturers that counterfeiting requires an appropriate answer. The use of new technologies are being disclosed for the first time. For example Bosch GmbH has just launched a new Internet platform enabling distributors to check the authenticity of their products online", said Vice President AlpVision Philippe Jordan.

AlpVision demonstrated the power of Cryptoglyph for protecting certificates, as well as the revolutionary FingerPrint process to authenticate both spare parts and moulds without changing anything in the production process or at product levels.

Putting an end to drug counterfeiting

First Parliamentary European Symposium on Pharmaceuticals was held in Brussels on Monday, 14 May attracting over 300 attendees. Among them were MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) as well as representatives from the largest pharmaceutical companies. The chairman of Sanofi-Aventis, Jean-Francois Dehecq, reminded the audience how dramatic and serious the drug counterfeiting is, and how poorly prepared many European countries are to effectively fight it. MEP and Member of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Ms. Francoise Grossette suggested that this problem should be dealt with at a European level, and that an increasing effort should be made to support the battle.

AlpVision Vice President, Philippe Jordan, reported that this first official meeting shows both the new awareness as well as the willingness of EU officials to support anti-counterfeiting cooperation and measures in Europe. The large presence of European media aimed at covering the event also demonstrates that the general public is concerned about drug counterfeiting, and it expects to be better informed about issues and solutions in the future.

AlpVision appears on France 3 Television

In its Sunday May 13 Soir 3 Week-End edition the "Carnet d'Europe" concentrated on the very hot topic of the proliferation of fake medicine, especially on the Internet.
Christophe Zimmermann, head of the Fight against Counterfeiting and Piracy section of the World Customs Organisation, showed various fake products seized during customs inspections and mentioned that half the medicine purchased via Internet is fake. Thierry Cornillet, a European deputy, explained that producing fake medicine is more profitable and less dangerous compared to the heroin traffic.ornillet suggested that new, more punitive legislation is necessary to inhibit medicine counterfeiting. Penalties should be more severe.

This will be discussed during the next G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany to be held June 7-8. Soir 3 also visited a laboratory in Eschborn, Germany which highlighted the difficulties in differentiating authorized Internet dealers from fraudulent ones and the need to track and trace genuine medicine.

Following through with their research on this important issue, Soir 3 visited AlpVision in Vevey, Switzerland, developer of the Cryptoglyph, an invisible marking of primary and secondary packaging. AlpVision demonstrated that anyone could perform such a genuine or fake identification using a simple office scanner or a camera phone and the AlpVision software running on a basic PC. Such a solution even provides "genuine" or "fake" identification for medicine bought through Internet shops, which is a convenient way for consumers to be able to verify the authenticity of their purchase. (Snapshots processed based on a Soir 3 video recording)

AlpVision at TechnoPharm 2007

Over 15,000 visitors came to Nurnberg (Germany) to visit TechnoPharm, held from 27th to 29th March 2007. It is one of the most important trade shows in the pharmaceutical industry. This year, TechnoPharm had a special packaging pavilion, putting a special focus on drug counterfeiting. AlpVision was the only anti-counterfeiting supplier to show its solutions.

At the AlpVision booth and during a scheduled presentation, Vice President Philippe Jordan demonstrated the power of AlpVision solutions against counterfeiting to many visitors, and explained how Cryptoglyph enables pharmaceutical companies to efficiently tackle counterfeiting and diversion.

AlpVision has been invited to present its pharmaceutical product security solutions at IMPACT First Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies Meeting in Prague

As one of the few very select companies, AlpVision was invited by the World Health Organization International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (WHO - IMPACT) on 13th March 2007 in Prague to present its security solutions for fighting drug counterfeiting.More than 80 attendees from all over the world, including government representatives from the EU and Asia, as well as pharmaceutical security officers, heard the presentation by AlpVision Vice President Philippe Jordan.

He reported that "The World Health Organisation showed a strong interest in a neutral solution capable of successfully integrating several kinds of security features.
The AlpVision Krypsos(TM) solution is a server-based architecture that allows multiple authentication methods". As of today, hundreds of millions products have been secured by AlpVision worldwide.

Download press releases in PDF format: In English - En français.

AlpVision on the cover of Product & Image Security January/February issue

For the first time, AlpVision disclosed a synthesis of its Brand Protection and Document Security patented solutions based on digital imaging technology and online authentication processing.

On page 30 you will find details of the full range of authentication solutions with covert marking as well as those without marking based on intrinsic product characteristics. AlpVision's practical approach allows brand owners and document issuers to rapidly implement a forensic-like protection. It is already used on hundreds of millions of products and documents made by some of the 500 top-rated companies worldwide.

Ask for discretionary copies of the magazine by ordering them off the home page. To order simply use the contact form (simply mention in the comment box, "Send Jan/Feb 2007 Product&Image Security", the number of copies you desire, as well as provide your full postal address).

The 7th Security Printing & Alternative Solutions in Central/Eastern Europe & Russia/CIS Conference

Pyrabelisk organized its yearly event about security printing and alternative solutions. This event is one of the select few recognized forums where decision makers in the printing security business meet together in order to share their experience as well as to examine new, innovative solutions that will become the standards of tomorrow. AlpVision's VP Sales and Business Development, Philippe Jordan, was a guest speaker at the conference. Jordan discussed relevant business cases where AlpVision security solutions could be appropriately used in securing valuable documents. Among others, banknotes, official documents and other valuable banking papers were cited as examples of where existing AlpVision security solutions are already used.

Live demonstrations of secret technologies using the Cryptoglyph technological principles in documents, color printed and copied, generated high levels of interest.

AlpVision has obtained the Swiss Made Certificate

AlpVision is now entitled to use the Swiss Made Quality logo. Due to AlpVision's outstanding contribution to the development of new Digital Imaging technology to protect branded products and value documents against counterfeiting the company has earned this respected privilege. AlpVision is entitled to use the Swiss Made Quality logo for all its products and services which are delivered with the high Swiss Quality standard. AlpVision is proud to be allowed to append the Swiss Made Quality logo and is committed to keep this high standard for any future deliveries and development.

AlpVision is protecting lotteries.

AlpVision was guest speaker at the Security and Risk Management Workshop organized by the World Lottery Association, Bintan (Indonesia) Nov. 17-20, 2006.
Lottery operators must mitigate their risks in order to ensure proper protection of their lottery tickets. Basically, fake lottery tickets could drive a lottery operator into bankruptcy within a very short period of time, as retailers must immediately pay the prizes won right at the claims desks.

AlpVision Vice-President Philippe Jordan was invited to share his thoughts with 50 security representatives from lottery associations and lottery operators from all over the world last November in Indonesia. "Within those companies there is a shared concern about the discovery of a very well counterfeited lottery ticket, similar to a "super note" feared in the fiduciary sector. We see that lottery operators intend to benchmark and implement a fiduciary type of security strategy by adding multiple layers of security features where each one meets particular security objectives". Because of its proven technical expertise and its unique security knowledge protecting various industries and its service to global customers, AlpVision is again invited to participate in another lottery security event occurring in Mexico next May.

AlpVision increases its presence in the US.

AlpVision participated in Banknote 2006 in Washington DC, Nov. 5-8. Philippe Jordan, Vice President for Sales and Business Development pointed out that "one out of every 12,000 US dollar banknotes is counterfeit; central banks are forced to stay ahead of counterfeiters, and they will invest immense resources in order to successfully secure their valuable documents".

Over 400 worldwide delegates from all over the world met for 4 days to examine and review ongoing trends in banknote protection, design, production, issue and use.

AlpVision exhibited its Cryptoglyph invisible marking solution at the RFID Healthcare Industry Adoption Summit - Washington DC, Nov. 12-15. Recent pedigree adoption in the US is putting even more pressure on pharmaceutical companies to find an affordable way to secure drugs against counterfeiting. "Some actors involved in the pharmaceutical supply chain are considering to start RFID pilots from 2008", says Philippe Jordan, Vice-President of AlpVision. "However, every one is reluctant to support the high costs associated with RFID, which is primarily a supply chain optimization process, requiring huge investment in equipment, time and money.

As a consequence, many pharmaceutical companies have started Cryptoglyph implementations as an immediate action in order to comply with new laws and still maintain a quick and robust security feature that enables easy authentication as well as tracking".

AlpVision Fingerprint(TM): a breakthrough in authenticating original products without any markings

AlpVision, a leading company in developing digital solutions for tracing grey markets and in fighting counter-feiting, announces Fingerprint(TM), an innovative authentication process requiring no additional markings. Based on a digital image of the original product stored in a secure server, AlpVision's FingerprintT solution authenticates original products and immediately identifies counterfeits.

A new solution for protecting casino chips and gaming tokens against counterfeiting

AlpVision, a Swiss-based leading company developing security solutions, announced a totally new approach to protect casino chips and tokens against counterfeiting. Millions of chips and tokens are used in the gaming industry, which is often governed directly by governments or by authorised private companies.

Camera Phone can identify counterfeit products worldwide: another first from AlpVision SA

AlpVision, a leading solution provider for brand protection and security printing disclosed this new product and demonstrated it live at Creative Packaging in Paris. With AlpVision a simple click on a camera phone can distinguish genuine brand products from fakes.

Download press releases in PDF format: In English - Auf Deutsch - En français.

Document Leaks - Tracking the Source

Governments, courts, companies and institutions, all have the problem of document leaks. With AlpVision's new solution it is now possible to track the source of the document leak without any human intervention.

Whenever someone prints a document, a trace will be added to the document clearly identifying when, where, and by whom the document was printed. Identifying a suspect document requires only a standard scanner and AlpVision's leak detection software.

New Pharmaceutical Customer

With an accelerating rhythm the pharmaceutical industry is testing and adopting the Cryptoglyph solution to protect packaging and blisters against counterfeiting and control parallel importation. AlpVision's new customer (who wants to remain anonymous for obvious reasons), is one of the very big international players and intends using the Cryptoglyph on critical markets such as south America and eastern Europe.

Protection of Metal Products without Impact

Authentication of products with metallic surfaces is now possible with a novel technology requiring no printing or engraving of the surface. AlpVision's new solution is especially suitable for companies needing protection of metallic products and not wanting to install expensive printing or engraving stations in their production chain.

Examples of products to protect include watches, medical devices, and automotive parts.

New customer in the FMCG field

The cost advantage of the Cryptoglyph, over competing products to protect branded products, enables even companies from the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) fields to protect their low cost products against counterfeiting and gain control over black markets and parallel importation. AlpVision is very glad to help more and more FMCG companies in fighting counterfeiting.

Protection of Glass Through Invisible Engraving

A breakthrough in making products. For the first time it is now possible to apply an invisible Cryptoglyph onto glass based products. Marking glass usually performed in such as way that then engraving process, for example with a laser, is visible to the human eye. However, in collaboration with the Swiss based company Frewitt it is now possible to apply invisible laser engraving onto glass based products. The breakthrough will allow for the invisible protection of products such as syringes, ampuls, and cosmetic bottles.

AlpVision and VeriDoc Join Forces

AlpVision teams up with VeriDoc SDN BHD, located in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. VeriDoc is a new official sales representative covering Asia on a non-exclusive basis. With a focus on the deployment of the Cryptoglyph technology applied to all kinds of documents in the banking environment, VeriDoc has the mission to provide asian customers with easier access to AlpVision's security printing solutions.

Blister Protection Now Possible

AlpVision SA and Constantia Flexible Packaging today announced they have successfully integrated the Cryptoglyph anti counterfeiting technology to the blister foils packaging production line. This opens a new era to protect almost individual pills if maintained in their individual blister pocket.
Download press release in PDF format: In English - Auf Deutsch.

AlpVision SA and Serolab SA join forces to fight pharmaceutical counterfeiting

AlpVision SA and Serolab SA today announced they are jointly launching a new program in order to fight against counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products. After one year of successful technical collaboration, the first products from Serolab 's Serocytol® range use AlpVision's unique Cryptoglyph technology, enabling the protection of secondary packaging against counterfeiting. " Protecting our patients 's health is a major target for Serolab and with the increasing thread of pharmaceutical counterfeiting in certain countries, the protection of our products became a priority concern.

The solutions proposed by AlpVision are very efficient and incredibly easy to integrate in our production flow" said Dr. Michel Mpandi, Chief Scientist Officer at Serolab. Download the press release in PDF format.

AlpVision SA and SGS Partner to Setup Document Security Program for The Ethiopian Government

AlpVision SA and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) today announced they are jointly launching a new program in order to fight against fraud, forgery and counterfeiting of governmental and commercially sensitive documents. After two years of successful collaboration, both companies have implemented a security program in Ethiopia, enabling the protection of sensitive documents against tampering and counterfeiting.
Download press release in PDF format.

Collaboration between Rondo AG and AlpVision SA.

Rondo AG and AlpVision SA have entered a collaboration in the field of pharmaceutical packaging protection. Rondo AG will deploy and market AlpVision's Cryptoglyph™; technology, an invisible mark to protect packaging against counterfeiting and provide track and trace functionality. The Cryptoglyph™; can be seamlessly integrated into Rondo's current packaging production process without any adaptations and without the need for special machines and ink.

The Cryptoglyph™ is an invisible mark distributed all over the packaging. To read, that is verify, the Cryptoglyph™ standard scanners can be used in combination with a special software application from AlpVision SA. Due to the non-localized nature of the Cryptoglyph(R), it is impossible to remove the security element without visually degrading or destroying the packaging. The collaboration between Rondo AG and AlpVision SA targets at providing pharmaceutical customers with the most effective and cost efficient security element nowadays available for counterfeit protection and track and trace.

AlpVision Signs Exclusive Patent License Agreement with EPFL

In our continuing effort to strengthen AlpVision's patent portfolio and expand into new markets, AlpVision has signed two exclusive patent license agreements with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland. The patents were initially filed by the Signal Processing Institute, headed by Prof. Kunt. The first patent plays a key role in video watermarking and describes methods and technologies to protect video through motion vector modulation. The second patent describes a method to protect documents against copying. Both patents will directly contribute to AlpVision product developments and allow AlpVision to open discussions with potential licensees.

AlpVision SA Integrates Gerency

Following three years of fruitful collaboration with our agent Gerency, AlpVision SA and Gerency agreed on the integration of Gerency's security printing activity into AlpVision. "This strategic move will accelerate our sales cycles and increase the confidence of AlpVision's customers," said Dr. Martin Kutter, president of AlpVision SA. The takeover involved also the hiring of some of the Gerency staff, and relocation from France to Switzerland.

AlpVision SA and Janoschka Collaboration Enables Rotogravure Printing of Cryptoglyph

At this year's ERA Packaging Conference, AlpVision has demonstrated the compatibility of the Cryptoglyph with the rotogravure printing process. This achievement is due to a very fruitful collaboration with Janoschka, a full-service provider of Pre-Press and Print Colour Management Solutions. According to Fred Zoupanos, Manager Sales and Marketing, AlpVision SA, this opens all new markets for the Cryptoglyph, especially in fields of very high printing volumes.

AlpVision SA and Digimarc Collaborate to Demonstrate Latest Innovations in Identity Document Security

AlpVision SA, experts in the field of digital security printing and data security, and Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC), the leading supplier of secure media solutions used in a wide range of security, identification and digital media content applications, today announced they are jointly showcasing new innovations in identity document security at Intergraf Security Printers Conference, Oct. 6-8 in Granada, Spain. The full press release in PDF can be found here.

AlpVision Releases Portable Document Protection System

Securing documents outside the office or production facility is now possible with AlpVision's fully integrated document protection solutions. The system contains all equipment required to create, edit, print and verify protected documents. Consisting of a notebook, a printer and a scanner, the portable system does not require external power and allows issuing of protected document wherever you are.

AlpVision Releases Document Track and Trace

With our continuing effort to secure documents where it was not possible before, AlpVision has developed a new software suite called Document Track and trace. The new document protection system adds invisible information to any document that is being printed within a company, organization or governmental administration. Without any user interaction, Document Track and Trace adds information such as date, time, location, and user, onto the printed documents. Document Track and Trace easily integrates with common word processing and publishing software, such as Microsoft Word.

New Division Created "AlpVision Consulting Services"

Following the increasing request by customers to have easier access to AlpVision's technological know-how and expertise in Digital Security Printing, AlpVision decided to officially create a new division: AlpVision Consulting Services. The new division focuses on providing costumers with consulting services related to security printing and digital signal processing. In addition, AlpVision Consulting Services will execute research and development assignment. For more information on AlpVision Consulting Services, please have a look at our dedicated web page.

AlpVision received European Seal of Excellence

AlpVision received the European Seal of Excellence. Winners for 2004 were announced at CEBIT-Hanover on 18 March 2004. The European Seal of Excellence in Multimedia distinguishes European companies with applications, services or technologies that are genuinely outstanding and world class. It may also be awarded to non-European Companies that have an outstanding track record of collaboration with Europe. AlpVision is proud to have been awarded this seal of excellence

AlpVision obtained CTISU Quality Label

AAlpVision has obtained the CTISU quality label. This Quality Label is awarded by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology to Swiss companies that have proven readiness for sustainable business development. AlpVision is very proud of this achievement since it confirms our continuing efforts in building a valuable contribution to the Swiss economy through quality and commitment.

AlpVision is one of three nominees for the Prix Strategis of the University of Lausanne (HEC)

For the 11th issue of this prestigious entrepreneurship award of the High Economics School of the University of Lausanne, the theme was centered around young innovative Start-Ups. AlpVision was proud to be selected amongst the three nominees. Jury was headed by Daniel Borel, CEO and President of Logitech.

AlpVision attends the SPIE Security and Watermarking Conference in Santa Clara, CA

AlpVision attends the SPIE Security and Watermarking Conference in Santa Clara, CA, and participates as member of the technical committee. In addition, AlpVision representatives were part of the panel discussion taking place at the first annual digital watermarking industry gathering (January 22).

Dotrix and AlpVision win the PISEC'02 Award

Dotrix and AlpVision win the PISEC'02 Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Counterfeit Deterrence" for the integration of Cryptoglyph™ technology tino the digital press.

AlpVision and Dotrix join forces

AlpVision and Dotrix join forces to provide a unique, integrated solution for invisible personalization and anti-counterfeiting of packaging and labels, This will be shown at PISEC 2002. Press release: PDF.

AlpVision and Adobe agree to collaborate

AlpVision and Adobe agree to collaborate with the goal to enhance some of Adobe's products with AlpVision's security solutions. The collaboration will focus on integrating AlpVision's Cryptoglyph technology into Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Acrobat.

AlpVision changes its legal status from AlpVision Limited to AlpVision Incorporated.

AlpVision successfully closed its first round of investment.

AlpVision signs another commercial contract

AlpVision signs another commercial contract for the protection of value documents and a production volume of 1 million units per year.

AlpVision signed a commercial contract with Trueb SA

AlpVision is happy to sign a commercial contract with Trueb SA to personalize and protect value documents. 10 millions units will be protected by AlpVision's solution by end of 2002.

AlpVision signs a strategic partnership with Banque de France

AlpVision signs a strategic partnership with Banque de France for the application of its technology to value documents.

AlpVision at Luxe Pack 2001 event, Monaco

A consortium of printing companies including SSP, Model Group, Gerency, and Morellon SA present the first packages protected using AlpVision solution. This patented technology enables to invisibly mark luxury packages using standard printing hardware and protect them against counterfeiting.

AlpVision releases its first video watermarking solution

AlpVision has moved in Vevey, the "Citiy of Images"

AlpVision has moved. Vevey, the "Citiy of Images", is our new home. Our new location is at the SwissMedia Center, in the heart of Vevey.

AlpVision releases SignIt

AlpVision releases SignIt!, a revolutionary product for copyright protection and enforcement using digital watermarking and copyright registration with our partner InterDeposit. The combination of an independent copyright registration service and digital watermarking makes this product esspecially suitable where legally efficient copyright enforcement is required.

Best 1999 Swiss PhD thesis for Dr. Kutter, co-founder of AlpVision

AlpVision is pleased to announce that Dr. Martin Kutter, co-founder and CTO of AlpVision, has received the award for the best PhD thesis of the year 1999 for his work entitled "Digital Watermarking: hiding information in images". The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, issues this award once a year to people who have performed outstanding research in science and engineering. Members of Dr. Kutter's jury were Prof. Murat Kunt, Prof. Touradj Ebrahimi (both from EPFL), Prof. Thierry Pun (CUI, University of Geneva, Switzerland), Prof. Benoit Macq (UCL, Belgium), and Dr. Alexander Herrigel (Digital Copyright Technologies, Switzerland).

AlpVision releases SafePaper

AlpVision releases a new product called SafePaper. With the help of this new and innovative product people can protect their documents, such as letterheads, and verify at any time if the document is original. If a document has been copied the SafePaper detection software allows easy identification of the copy. The verification process is very simple and requires only an off-the-shelf scanner and a standard personal computer running Microsoft Windows. In addition, AlpVision offers a unique and free SafePaper watermarking service to protect your letterhead.

Dr. Martin Kutter speaks in Taipei at CVGIP conference

Dr. Martin Kutter, one of the founders of AlpVision, gives the keynote speech at the annual meeting of Computer Vision, Graphics and Image Processing (CVGIP) in Taipei, Taiwan. The two-hours speech provided a general introduction into the broad field of digital watermarking and highlighted the importance of collaborations between research and industry.

AlpVision releases CD-Check

AlpVision releases CD-Check, a new product to prevent copying of CD-ROMs containing high security data.

AlpVision releases PhotoCheck

PhotoCheck, a new product to check the validity of identification documents, has been released. PhotoCheck provides a method to identify tampered and counterfeit images and is used to add an additional layer of security to any kind of identifications documents, such as passports.

AlpVision releases LabelIt

AlpVision releases LabelIt, a new product to insert invisible annotations in digital images for source identification and labeling.