SECURITY IN ACTION

The Hologram Image Register (HIR), which is the secure registry of holographic images, established by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association.

Improvements deliver faster access to hologram image register

The Hologram Image Register (HIR), which is the secure registry of holographic images, established by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association. An image of an Hologram.

An image of an Hologram.

The Hologram Image Register (HIR) – the secure registry of holographic images, established by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) to safeguard hologram copyright and underpin the use of holograms in authentication and security printing – has received its first major makeover since its launch in 1993.

The HIR is the only system of its type for the authentication community. The centrally held global database of secure holograms is operated on behalf of the IHMA by the Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau under the strictest confidence and security that supports ISO14298*.

It enables hologram manufacturers and producers to verify that their hologram design, or elements of a hologram design, do not infringe copyright or allow the unintentional copying of existing security holograms. The image registration is completed once the design has received clearance.

The HIR is also available to law enforcement agencies to check for the provenance of a design when they need information on a suspect hologram.

The changes are designed to improve user efficiency and effectiveness by enabling faster online registration and copyright checking of hologram designs, and came into effect in February 2022.

The streamlining of the Copyright and IP section of the HIR secure portal offers distinct advantages to IHMA members. It will further and significantly reduce the time taken for registration, which is a fully online process where artwork is submitted electronically to provide quicker design checks. The hologram manufacturer submitting a design search will be expected to have the authorisation of their customers to use copyrighted artwork provided for use in the final hologram.

This is achieved by acceptance in the portal of Warranties and Indemnities to that effect, significantly speeding up the whole verification process and ensures copyright/IP is clearly identified and protected for all parties.

IHMA chair Dr Paul Dunn, said: “The new, easier-to-use features are a beneficial step forward, representing a significant update and redesign of the HIR requirements. These reflect more accurately the way current holograms are designed and used, undoubtedly facilitating an increase in the registration of images and securing their integrity.”

The HIR includes more than 10,000 registrations, a number that is growing by the day. It has helped to prevent numerous attempts to source copy holograms, and has also helped to confirm that a suspect hologram was, indeed, a fake, which in turn has led to arrests and prosecution of the counterfeiters.

Moreover, registration of a hologram design with the HIR is increasingly a pre-condition of tenders and procurement, particularly by government bodies such as central banks, revenue authorities and passport issuers, as well as brand owners.

*ISO 14298 – Management of Security Printing (and Security Foil) Processes specifies requirements for the management of security printing processes. Its goals are:

• To improve the security for the industry in regards to security printing and aid the fight against fraud and forgery

• To reduce trade barriers by encouraging uniform practices around the world

• Satisfy clients’ increasing security needs

Issued on behalf of the IHMA by Mitchell Halton Watson Ltd.

For further details contact: Andy Bruce on +44 (0) 191 233 1300 or email andy@mhwpr.co.uk