| May I lick the contract? | | | | subtle amounts of chemical tracers) and stamp |
| | | | in color. You need a stamp to state that |
| The Chemical Signature is a simple concept: | | | | "This document is signed / stamped with |
| make your ink unique by mixing a new color | | | | Custom Ink #123456". |
| and adding secret components. Even salt and | | | | |
| sugar will do it. Now, the custom ink could | | | | Another problem would arise when you lose |
| have been invented by Da Vinci, but without | | | | your pen or rubber stamping pad. Your ink can |
| Internet it would have been very hard to | | | | fall in the wrong hands. However, it is easy |
| associate a person with its Own Ink. It is | | | | to implement a reporting system such as the |
| possible now for everyone to have a custom | | | | one that Credit Cards have. |
| ink, adding safety to signatures and | | | | |
| rubberstamps. The ink is obtained by mixing | | | | Is this document radioactive? |
| standard colors in different proportions. As | | | | |
| a first step in validation, the colors are | | | | As a matter of fact, yes. If you are reading |
| shown in a website, under a code.The | | | | this in paper, it will be less radioactive |
| additional components that add safety to the | | | | than a computer monitor, but it still has a |
| OwnInk system are substances that are easy to | | | | background radiation. |
| detect, if you know what you are looking for. | | | | |
| If you do not, you need a multimillion dollar | | | | The ink can have radioactive components that |
| lab and many hours of expert chemists or | | | | are easy to identify and measure. However, if |
| biochemists. To know some of the secret | | | | they stay below certain limits, no authority |
| components, the validator needs to register | | | | will complain. |
| in a website. More components mean more | | | | |
| safety levels, and more requirements for | | | | Alternatively, some biological components can |
| validators. | | | | be added for extra safety and easy detection |
| | | | by a biochemical lab. DNA or saliva could be |
| What is wrong with the $1 ball pen? | | | | good options, but the company providing such |
| | | | an ink would be liable for handling hazardous |
| In these times of digital signatures, nobody | | | | materials. However, many biochemicals are |
| pays attention to ink signatures, which are | | | | safe enough to be included in the ink. |
| still made as in the Middle Ages, but move | | | | |
| billions of dollars every hour. Ink | | | | Fluorescent, magnetic and particulate |
| signatures in paper will probably stay around | | | | components are also possible. |
| until we extinct all the forests. | | | | |
| | | | The letter is a worthless lie, but the ink is |
| However, when handwriting analysts mention | | | | $890 |
| technology, they mean a magnifying glass. No | | | | |
| changes have appeared in the way we sign and | | | | Who is going to profit from the chemical |
| in how the signatures are verified. On the | | | | signature? |
| other hand, criminals have now scanners, | | | | |
| graphic software and check software, enabling | | | | The banks will save money in graphoanalysts |
| them to easily falsify any rubber stamp or | | | | and forged checks. Validator entities will |
| signature, no matter how complicated. | | | | earn from the simple and profitable chemical |
| | | | analysis. Resellers of the ink kits, pen |
| As a result, attempted check fraud in US | | | | makers and gift shops will also have a bite. |
| banks surpassed $4.32 billion in 2001, | | | | |
| doubling for the 2nd time in 4 years | | | | It is not clear how will Notaries perform |
| (American Bankers Association Deposit Account | | | | when the rules of their business get turned |
| Fraud Survey Report). | | | | upside down. Some will join the innovation |
| | | | and take advantage of it, while others will |
| Not only banks need to verify signatures: | | | | see their business disappear. Scam artists |
| notaries, universities, governments and those | | | | will certainly spend thousands in chemistry |
| who face the globalized economy. And still, | | | | courses and lab equipment. |
| they rely on visual examination to compare | | | | |
| signatures. | | | | The product can be segmented into several |
| | | | price ranges. The simplest custom ink with |
| You can sign in any color, as long it is | | | | few components and little guaranty will cost |
| black. | | | | about $5, while the ultra-secure variety with |
| | | | a golden pen will go over 800. |
| There are a few obstacles for the Chemical | | | | |
| Signature. For instance: Will Notaries accept | | | | Beyond all the safety issues, there is a |
| signatures with Customized Safety Ink?. | | | | powerful reason for the Chemical Signature to |
| Probably not, because the law favors Black. | | | | succeed: the impulse of people to affirm |
| One reason is that light blue is bad for | | | | their personality, to be fancy and original. |
| xeroxing, but there is nothing wrong with | | | | |
| other colors. Maybe the law can change. And | | | | Sergio Samoilovich |
| there is nothing against chemical tracers. | | | | |
| | | | OwnInk. |
| It is also possible to sign in black (with | | | | |