Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PYPAINT (Protect Your Peerless Artwork with Innovative Nanoengineered Technology)
Período documentado: 2023-03-01 hasta 2024-08-31
The art market has always had to deal with an endemic problem: counterfeiting. All art is historically at risk of being copied and sold fraudulently by counterfeiters. A report by the Swiss Fine Art Expert Institute estimates that over half of all the artwork in circulation is fake. All this creates an incalculable loss of value for the entire market, including artists, auction houses, insurance companies and of course the end buyers, who often find themselves spending considerable sums of money only to end up with worthless pieces or even get into legal trouble. Works of art are generally not protected with dedicated security devices that uniquely identify the work itself. The problem historically originates from the requirement not to visibly alter the artwork itself and from the relative lack of security of existing non-invasive solutions.
Our team at Politecnico di Milano has developed a printable new anti-counterfeiting system (PYPAINT) based on a group of nanostructures with a specific optoelectronic response. This makes it possible to create an artwork's unique identifier code invisible to the human eye and only readable using a special optical reader. Thanks to the invisibility of inks, it is possible to print them directly on the artwork, or on a transparent label. The verification of PYPAINT allows access to a remote database to guarantee not only its authenticity but also its history and relationship with the rest of the artist's works, creating a true digital reliable medium, available to the owner. The reading of PYPAINT codes allows to identify and retrieve all the information of interest through a multi-level security protocol. Moreover, PYPAINT is safe for the environment and health, using only carbon-based molecules (no heavy metals or other toxic compounds) in almost negligible concentrations. Our novel anticounterfeiting solution can contribute to increase the security of artworks, hindering the circulation of fakes within the European Union.
Our team at Politecnico di Milano has developed a printable new anti-counterfeiting system (PYPAINT) based on a group of nanostructures with a specific optoelectronic response. This makes it possible to create an artwork's unique identifier code invisible to the human eye and only readable using a special optical reader. Thanks to the invisibility of inks, it is possible to print them directly on the artwork, or on a transparent label. The verification of PYPAINT allows access to a remote database to guarantee not only its authenticity but also its history and relationship with the rest of the artist's works, creating a true digital reliable medium, available to the owner. The reading of PYPAINT codes allows to identify and retrieve all the information of interest through a multi-level security protocol. Moreover, PYPAINT is safe for the environment and health, using only carbon-based molecules (no heavy metals or other toxic compounds) in almost negligible concentrations. Our novel anticounterfeiting solution can contribute to increase the security of artworks, hindering the circulation of fakes within the European Union.
Several technical results have been achieved during this PoC project:
1) the creation of coloured inks suitable for a ball point pen unique for each artist, who can sign all their artworks to exclusively identify them;
2) the italian artist involved in the project (Skygolpe) selected a specific colour for his signature
3) the development of a tag with invisible inks formed by a sequence of dots to uniquely identify each artwork by a continuous inkjet printer
4) the development of a tag reproducing the artwork itself with one invisible ink to uniquely identify each artwork through an optical mapping able to reproduce a binary color conversion (black/white) of the artwork
5) the development of a software dedicated to Pypaint for the recognition both of the tag with a sequence of dots and the artist's signature
Several business results have been achieved too:
1) interaction with several stakeholders, gathering requirements to redesign the system in line with market expectations
2) the definition of a preliminary business model, correlated with several strategies and Eco/Fin projections
3) launch of a spin-off to commercialize the system and implementation of an IPR strategy that includes the licensing of the existing patent
4) Study of a preliminary FTO analysis
5) Participation to conferences and presentation of the project to stakeholders and media
1) the creation of coloured inks suitable for a ball point pen unique for each artist, who can sign all their artworks to exclusively identify them;
2) the italian artist involved in the project (Skygolpe) selected a specific colour for his signature
3) the development of a tag with invisible inks formed by a sequence of dots to uniquely identify each artwork by a continuous inkjet printer
4) the development of a tag reproducing the artwork itself with one invisible ink to uniquely identify each artwork through an optical mapping able to reproduce a binary color conversion (black/white) of the artwork
5) the development of a software dedicated to Pypaint for the recognition both of the tag with a sequence of dots and the artist's signature
Several business results have been achieved too:
1) interaction with several stakeholders, gathering requirements to redesign the system in line with market expectations
2) the definition of a preliminary business model, correlated with several strategies and Eco/Fin projections
3) launch of a spin-off to commercialize the system and implementation of an IPR strategy that includes the licensing of the existing patent
4) Study of a preliminary FTO analysis
5) Participation to conferences and presentation of the project to stakeholders and media
The results of the project could have an impact on various stakeholders in the art world.
Infact, thanks to the possibility of associating a unique code printed directly on the artwork, it is possible to ensure its authenticity objectively, without relying on the personal judgment of experts.
Additionally, the development of a unique ink for each artist to sign their work provides an additional guarantee of the artwork's authenticity.
The introduction of these technological solutions could positively impact artists, collectors, auction houses, galleries, and museums, ensuring greater transparency compared to the current situation.
To reach the commercialisation we still have to:
- ask for IPR support to patent our special coloured ink to be used in a ballpoint pen;
- become a new standard in the art world by knowing artists mindset and way of working.
Infact, thanks to the possibility of associating a unique code printed directly on the artwork, it is possible to ensure its authenticity objectively, without relying on the personal judgment of experts.
Additionally, the development of a unique ink for each artist to sign their work provides an additional guarantee of the artwork's authenticity.
The introduction of these technological solutions could positively impact artists, collectors, auction houses, galleries, and museums, ensuring greater transparency compared to the current situation.
To reach the commercialisation we still have to:
- ask for IPR support to patent our special coloured ink to be used in a ballpoint pen;
- become a new standard in the art world by knowing artists mindset and way of working.