Textile Centre Moves to Protect Premier Weavers’ Intellectual Property

In response to increasing demands by consumers for quality assurance and proof of origin, The Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence, as part of the regional Textile Futures Programme, has developed a ‘Yorkshire Signature’ DNA to protect fabric woven in the region. Textile Futures is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the 2007-2013 Yorkshire and The Humber ERDF Programme.

 

A fully equipped laboratory has been installed in the Huddersfield Centre to carry out forensic analysis of DNA samples from weavers participating in the programme. The Signature DNA solution has been developed by Applied DNA Sciences in Stony Brook New York.

 

• Milano Unica in Milan from September 13-15th featured 'DNA' fabrics from Bower Roebuck and Dormeuil
• Premiere Vision in Paris from September 20-22nd will feature 'DNA' fabrics from Dormeuil, Holland and Sherry, and Taylor and Lodge

“The anti-counterfeit strategy involves the use of a unique botanical DNA that is impregnated into the fabric during the manufacturing process to provide authentication and brand protection for weavers of premium quality fabrics in Yorkshire.”

 

Bill MacBeth, Managing Director of the Huddersfield Textile Centre of Excellence

 

“The international luxury market is very buoyant and Yorkshire weavers of worsted suitings are benefiting from the current vogue for quality fashion. The need for DNA ‘accountability’ will extend far beyond the fashion fabric market in years to come as wool textile products for the interior environment are increasingly selected for health and safety reasons. Proof of content and origin will be paramount, given the understandably accountable world in which the sector works”.

 

Peter Ackroyd, President of International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO)

 

“Dormeuil is committed to weaving its men’s wear collections in Yorkshire and I am delighted the Centre has taken the initiative to create a programme that, should the need arise, allows us to prove in store the provenance of our cloths. This will be particularly welcome in Japan where customers are increasingly concerned about origin.”

 

Richard Boide, Commercial Director of Dormeuil

“UK wool fabrics are enjoying unprecedented growth in demand in Asia, as ever more discerning consumers are seeking assured quality as opposed to disposable fashion. We actively protect our brand and trademarks worldwide and we warmly welcome the DNA programme which will give forensic support to our efforts in safeguarding the Group’s intellectual property.”

 

Edward Waterhouse, Taylor and Lodge

 

“Sadly this region is rife with fake goods with firms having little recourse to quick commercial justice in the courts. DNA proof of origin, easily demonstrated to consumers, will significantly assist all in this market who seek to provide genuine quality.”

 

Walid Batich, Middle East Director of Holland and Sherry

 

“We, together with our sister company Scabal, invest heavily in design and technology to create unique cloths for very discerning clients. Protection of investment and quality assurance are priorities for the Group and our membership of ‘Yorkshire Signature’ is seen as significant step forward in these important areas for our business.”

 

Ronald Hall, Managing Director of Bower Roebuck

APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied, and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators. Its DNA marking systems have been certified and validated at government level, including in the EU.The company is located at 25 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 213,Stony Brook, NY 11790.  For more information on APDN (OTC Bulletin Board:APDN), visit www.adnas.com, on Twitter at @APDN

 

The Textile Centre of Excellence was established to unite the local textile industry in a shared approach to professional, equitable and high-quality training. The Centre is located in Leeds Road Huddersfield, and provides a wide range of ‘state of the art’ textile and clothing research and development, training and production facilities including:

The Centre has over 70 member companies. www.textilehouse.co.uk