Salvatore Ferragamo has a brilliant plan to protect against counterfeiters. The brand will insert microchips into accessories so consumers can easily distinguish between authentic pieces and fraudulent copies. The microchips, which can’t be copied, will live inside the heels of the shoes and in select bags where it can’t be seen. They’re readable from a distance of 4CM or less.
It stands to reason that Ferragamo would invent new ways to combat counterfeits. They confiscated 12,400 illegal items last year alone, totaling $17 million. But the chips will not only will thwart counterfeiting, they’ll help preserve resale value. Thanks to the microchip, sellers can prove the authenticity of the Ferragamo piece and thereby demand more money from shoppers.
And if you’re wondering if the chip is a secret ploy for the government to monitor your whereabouts, rest assured: it can’t be tracked.
[via Vogue UK]
