27 Central Banks Push Anti-Counterfeit Software 400
securitas writes "GlobeTechnology reports that the 27-member Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group is behind the anti-counterfeit software in Adobe Photoshop CS, Ulead PhotoImpact, Jasc Paint Shop Pro and others. Consortium members of the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group include the USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia and many more. Law enforcement agencies and banknote-issuing authorities say that it is a response to the rapid growth of digital counterfeiting. The software is distributed free of charge to hardware and software manufacturers and is voluntary to use. But the European Union is drafting legislation to force manufacturers to include anti-counterfeit measures in all systems, scanners or printers sold in Europe. Counterfeiting and anti-counterfeiting with Adobe Photoshop and other products like inkjet printers have been the subject of recent discussion on Slashdot."
Help (Score:5, Funny)
WANTED TO BUY:
1x Adobe Photoshop version
up to but not including CS.
1x High quality inkjet printer,
2002-2003 vintage
Will pay cash.
Oh well (Score:5, Funny)
Counterfeits (Score:4, Funny)
the gimp (Score:4, Funny)
Great Idea... (Score:5, Funny)
on the bright side (Score:5, Funny)
Re:If I've learned nothing else in 20+ years of le (Score:4, Funny)
The old "Make it idiot-proof ... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Help (Score:5, Funny)
Will pay cash 1 week after delivery.
you forgot something... (Score:5, Funny)
News broadcast: a man was caught trying to pass off counterfeit $20 bills at the candy store. The store owner got suspicious when he noticed none of the colours stayed within the lines. When questioned, he responded: "I guess I feathered my alpha mask too much."
What CS really means... (Score:3, Funny)
Irony. (Score:3, Funny)
Their title (my bolding): "Central banks hope free software will put a dent in counterfeiting"
And then they mention Adobe Photoshop and Ulead PhotoImpact. Earth to the Globe?
Re:What happens to open source image software? (Score:5, Funny)
Safe as houses!
-- John.
Re:What is the real problem? (Score:3, Funny)
frequent redesign leading to unfamilar notes? (Score:4, Funny)
Xix.
It's a pity I look like George Washington... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:gimp and sane illegal (Score:5, Funny)
No problem, will just scan it and throw up a link for you...Oh, nevermind.
note: All is to be taken sarcastically [reference.com]
Re:Post-Government Cash Cards (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Well ... local to my area ... (Score:1, Funny)
"Hey fred, can I borrow five bucks?"
"Ok wheres your credit card swiping machine."
Re:Can't we just go cashless? (Score:1, Funny)
How bout if the couch ate $35? That'd be no fun
I beg to differ.
It's not like the couch digests the money and makes turds or something. The money stays put.
I would probably entertain friends at my house more often if they did this. It would really be a boon for neighborhood socializing.
Re:Dare I suggest... (Score:5, Funny)
Top 5 reasons for going from boring monochrome paper to plastic colourful money:
1) it lasts a lot longer for notes that change hands a lot - a $5.00 paper note would get chewed up in something like 6 months, but the plastic vertions lasts a lot longer before it has to be replaced.
2) you never get a nasty crumpled greasy dirty note - the plastic notes are all but impossible to crease and don't retain dirt etc. nearly as well as paper.
3) we love the beach - and paper money generally doesnt. With the plastic notes you can go for a surf with the money to buy your lunch in your boardies, without having to take a wallet & leave it on the beach.
4) you can put the notes in the oven to shrink them down & make fun keyring tags ( actually I think that only worked with the first plastic notes - and I don't endorse defacing currency)
5) It was a great excuse to get republicly minded and replace the Queen's head with a bunch of other people no-one knows (but should).
6) Tourists (especially Americans who are used to all money being green) can't help but think of it as monopoly money ( because of all the pretty colors) and spend it accordingly.
7) All the pretty colors help in identification to prevent you buying a $100 kebab after a beery night out.
8) you can sticky tape two $100 notes together and make a cheezy pair of "$200" shades with the little plastic windows.
9)even the dodgiest back street dealers warez dealers take "plastic money"
10) it has a tendancy to stop filthy rich bastards lighting their cigars off $100 notes. I don't think it's absorbtive qualities are too good either, for any other mis-uses that might tempt the overly rich.
Re:What's the problem? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Rotation of Eurion (Score:3, Funny)
Well... To be honest?
Yeah, I do.
Photoshop has many reports of small rotations causing the currency to be scanned. I dunno about the printing though.
(I havn't tested it, so this could all be rubbish)
You don't need photoshop at all. (Score:4, Funny)
The bills don't even have to be perfect. You can even use a carat to change the phrase "This note is legal tender" to "This note is ^not legal tender" and the phrase "Federal Reserve Bank" to "Federal Express Banc" and the phrase "United States of America" to "Untied States of Vespucia".
You could put a portrait of "George Bush" or even "Alfred E. Newman" on the bill and/or change the denomination to $3.14, you could change the Secretary of the Treasury's signature to 'Pee Wee Herman'.
Then you would have a bill that could be fired out of the back of your getaway van in a crowded place to distract the mobs of people into picking up bills blocking the way of the persuing police. Or just drop them on the trading floor of the NYSE...