Digital and Recording Media

Applied DNA Sciences has developed its SigNature™ program to help in the effort to prevent and deter software piracy, as well as certify and verify the authenticity of digital and recording media products. Overt and covert botanical DNA technologies can be applied onto the packaging as well as the product itself.

The digital and recording media industry, including the segment that records computer software on compact discs, has long been a victim of piracy, or the production of illegal copies of genuine media or software, and the counterfeiting and distribution of imitation media or software. Compact discs, DVDs, videotapes, computer software and other digital and recording media that appear identical to genuine products are sold at substantial discounts by vendors at street and night markets, via mail order catalogs and on the internet at direct retail websites or auction sites.

In 2006 the Business Software Alliance ("BSA") reported that in 2005, the United States lost $6.9 billion as a result of software piracy. The BSA also estimated that 21 percent of software programs in the U.S. are unlicensed and that since January 1, 2000, the BSA has settled with 1,668 companies for a total of $81,821,895. In a white paper published in December 2005, the BSA and the IDC also reported that they found in a 2004 study that the world spent more than $59 billion for commercial packaged software. Yet, software worth over $90 billion was actually installed. In other words, for every two dollars worth of software purchased legitimately, one dollar was obtained illegally.

For more information on the SigNature™ Program for Digital and Recording Media, please click here.