Slashdot Mirror


Currency Detection Discovered in More Products

netbsd_fan writes "BUGTRAQ is reporting that anti-counterfeiting spyware is being found in more and more products. What is also interesting is that these products block fair uses of currency images which do not break the law. What incentive do printer manufacturers have to treat their customers like criminals? Is this a precursor to DRM in scanners, CD drives, and output devices?"

10 of 677 comments (clear)

  1. We can use this ourselves by h4rm0ny · · Score: 4, Funny

    What I really want to be able to do is to incorporate this signature into my own images. It could be used to provide a modicum of image protection from the technophobes, or else to annoy people. I found a few details on how it works here. I particularly like a comment from one guy about how it blocks scanning of $20 bills...

    "You can still scan a $10 bill twice."

    :D

    --

    Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    1. Re:We can use this ourselves by dogdaze · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or put the pattern on your car license plate and stop those pesky red light cameras from printing images.

  2. What incentive?!?!? by koreth · · Score: 5, Funny
    Well, first of all, the government has a compelling...

    Hey, look! Over there! A terrorist!

    What were you asking me again, you traitor?

  3. I'm sorry Dave by ch-chuck · · Score: 5, Funny

    I cannot copy that benjamin

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  4. Vending machines? by tordon · · Score: 5, Funny

    If software can detect bank notes in printer drivers, why can't vending machines do it reliably?

  5. That explains it! by Call+Me+Black+Cloud · · Score: 4, Funny


    Thank you for your post. I've returned 6 printers and both PS and PSP so far. By some freak of nature, my newborn son has birthmarks arranged in the pattern shown in the PDF. Every time I've tried to work with his image the software wouldn't load it. Then when I finally resorted to MS Paint, the printers wouldn't print it!

    I was able to defeat this "feature" by drawing another birthmark on my son...problem solved! Thank you slashdot for saving the day...again.

  6. Re:"Do not copy" symbol by great_flaming_foo · · Score: 5, Funny
    It needs to be better publicized

    They tried to publicize it but for some reason their printer wouldn't work...

  7. Re:"Do not copy" symbol by gnu-generation-one · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Effectively, there's now a standard symbol for "do not copy""

    Okay, print this symbol on your letterhead next time you write to your MP, and ask them to forward your letter (as you normally do when writing to MPs, they photocopy the letter, and forward it to the relevant department)

    Their secretaries will soon discover how easy this anticounterfeiting technique makes their lives... I wonder if any of them will put a postit note over the symbol to make it photocopy, or whether you can just include a load of them in the watermark. (a watermark in a watermark!)

  8. You might want to take a closer look by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Your child might actually be running afoul of the anti-Christ detection algorithms that were installed into software long before all this currency stuff. It looks for a specific pattern of 3 '6's on your child and should be helpful in alerting you to your child's status as the anti-Christ (along with the explained rash of deaths you must be experiencing). The quickest workaround is to change one of the 6s into an 8 with a sharpie.

    Why don't you post a picture of little Damien. I bet he's a real cutie patooty.

  9. Re:So What? by diablobynight · · Score: 4, Funny

    yes because I can go and buy the paper I would need to even come close to making the feel of a dollar bill, but more importantly, what about for birthdays when I take 100 dollar bills then super impose my ass on the bill and give it to people in cards. I want to still keep doing that, the joke never gets old, the person sees an excellent 100$ bill pulls it fully out of the card and sees my ass with full fruit basket, it's beautiful.

    --
    Anonymous Cowards - Oh God, How I hate you