Micros Chip seeks licensees for currency security feature

US firm Micros Chip is looking for licensees for an anti-counterfeit technology originally developed by Lentech Korea.

The offer of a license to the Seegram polymer-based technology - specifically for currency security applications - will be made from January 30, according to the Cleveland-based firm. Other applications of the technology - which was launched towards the end of last year - are not included in the exclusive license offer.

"This overt technology is unlike any hologram, shifting ink, micro-optic switching thread, or lenticular printed product on the market today," claims Micros. "Unlike holograms or many of the covert technologies found on banknotes, the Seegram label can be read by the human eye, and does not require special instruments to validate."

With Seegram, the viewer simply views the label with the human eye, and observes the change as the label gets to within a few inches of the eye; The large foreground label disappears, and the background micro-text suddenly appears and grows larger, says Micros.



Tom Lash, the company' chief executive, said the intention is to close a deal by the end of March, with the licensee gaining exclusive rights to manufacture, market, and sell the Seegram globally for currency applications and also gaining a non-exclusive license for document security applications.

Other applications of the technology include luxury goods, electronics, credit cards and IDs, pharmaceuticals and premium beverages, according to the firm, which says several large customers in Korea have vetted and validated the technology, and are using Seegram for anti-counterfeiting and branding.