Sennheiser Implements Groundbreaking Anti-Counterfeit Technologies in its Consumer Products and Packaging

The following Press Release was issued by Sennheiser today:

Sennheiser Implements Groundbreaking Anti-Counterfeit Technologies in its Consumer Products and Packaging

Sennheiser Continues Aggressive Anti-Counterfeiting Measures with New Security Label, Protecting Customers and Ensuring Product Authenticity

Old Lyme, Conn. — September 18, 2012: Audio specialist Sennheiser announced the deployment of groundbreaking identification technologies in its consumer products, designed to protect consumers against fake product and illegal counterfeiting activities. The premium manufacturer’s packaging and products will now carry a new authenticity label, the tesa® PrioSpot. The first Sennheiser products featuring this innovative packaging will arrive on store shelves by the end of this year.

“These security labels offer an incomparable level of protection against counterfeit for our customers by using visible and hidden security features,” said Volker Bartels, president of corporate services and spokesperson for Sennheiser’s executive management board. “The new security labels offer a clear benefit to customers in terms of transparency, as well as being quick and straightforward.” By utilizing the new label features, consumers, retailers and also customs agents can confirm the authenticity of a product within seconds.

Visible and hidden protection against counterfeiting
Each label is unique and has special features – both visible and invisible. For example, the tesa® PrioSpot shows up in different colors under direct light. Additionally, the last digit of the security code is repeated in an enlarged format. By using the code on the security label, customers can quickly and easily check online whether the product is a Sennheiser original or not. Authentication can be carried out at any stage of the purchasing process, regardless of whether the product has already been bought or is still in the store.

All that is required to verify a genuine Sennheiser product is a visit to the www.qr-sennheiser.com website, where a user simply enters the ID number printed on the security label. By doing so, a user can compare the security features and code on the product itself to those displayed on the website, and then immediately receive a declaration of authenticity.

Simple authentication by smartphone or tablet
Another practical way of product verification comes in the form of a smartphone application. By simply scanning the security label’s QR code using a smartphone or tablet, a user can initiate the authentication process without manually browsing to the site. Additionally, there is no need to enter the ID since it is picked up automatically.

While the new labels represent a powerful new weapon against counterfeiting, Sennheiser recommends that customers continue to purchase only from authorized Sennheiser dealers to ensure warranty coverage; also because there are still many products on the market which have not yet been labeled with the new technology.

Another milestone against counterfeiting
The new technology represents the latest milestone Sennheiser has taken in its unrelenting effort to combat product piracy and illegal counterfeiting activities in recent years. “These new labels demonstrate that Sennheiser is taking the next step in customer and brand protection and that we are committed to taking an active position against product piracy that goes beyond talking,” said Volker Bartels.

Last April, Sennheiser partnered with channel management solutions developer Channel IQ to implement an innovative badging program for its network of authorized e-commerce dealers. In September of last year, the company filed its first wave of federal lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Central District of California targeting a number of Internet based pirates and counterfeiters located throughout the United States who are engaged in the sale of counterfeit Sennheiser branded merchandise. Additional waves of federal lawsuits have been filed this year and will continue going forward.

Sennheiser is a world leading manufacturer of high performance and best-selling headphones and microphones, considered indispensable among music lovers, audiophiles, recording studios, sound professionals, custom-installers and home theatre enthusiasts. Sennheiser products feature superb sound reproduction quality, making them first choice for many high-profile recording artists.