LegitimId: Identifies the original and prevents counterfeiting

Two similar artworks are shown, one is the original and the other is a copy, a printed version. The same image, the same support, the same dimensions, the same form, the same signature, the same chip embedded in the fabric.
But only one is the original. Which one? LegitimId provides the answer. Trustworthy.

How to tell the artwork is genuine using LegitimId service

1. Spot the embedded chip place: Each artwork has a chip attached, which makes the connection with the LegitimId server. Spot the artist signature on the bottom left corner.
2. Use NFC on your mobile phone : Touch the artwork with your mobile phone with NFC connection on. Just tap the back of your phone against the place where there is the artist’s signature.
3. Done! You get the result: The LegitimId server has all the information needed to determine the digital identity of genuine artwork. It is capable to authenticate and verify the digital identity of the original.

Everything can be copied and reproduced, but the digital identity of the original cannot be counterfeited. LegitimID tells you which piece of art is the original.

Why it is important to determine if an artwork is genuine

It's not the game "find five differences" in these images. Although, this kind of games are very useful for testing your attention, patience and visual memory. Sometimes, you may not be able to find any differences.

It is very difficult to determine which one is the original and which one is the copy. At stake, there are top imperatives: ethics, economics, security, safety, brand value, heritage, history of human kind and creations.

There are professional people who can determine if an artwork is original, print, reproduction, fake copy. It takes year of research and experience to study the paintings, the history of human beings, the patinas, the chemistry of all elements used in workshops, the grand maestro and their disciples. The importance of determine the original in a world of copies becomes crucial.

Technology makes possible the good and the bad. Software become industrial by making millions of copies for an application, thus becoming available free or at affordable cost to everyone.

When technology met art, everyone can have a reproduction/print of famous painting hanging on their walls. This is a good thing.

People accept to pay a premium price for original and a different price for reproduction/copies.

Technology make possible to make fakes which are difficult to separate from original. We do not want to pay a premium price for a fake (be it a perfume, a bag, a software package or a work of art). This is not ethical, it damages businesses, artist's brand and reputation, makes online unsafe and the human creation a target for criminal activities. This is a bad thing.

When we look at an artwork, we see what our mind and our soul tell us. We see the whole, the story, we are impressed by the message it sends us. The role of a painting on our wall is its substitution of mundanity, the power of transporting us away from our daily tasks, the peace of mind, the energy of colors. Rarely, we are looking at the art elements such as color (oil, acrylic, aquarelle, etc.), texture (canvas, wood, cardboard), line, shape, form, value, space.

We need to identify these elements when we want to ensure the piece we are buying is an original not a copy. What if, instead of being trained how to determine an original we just click on the piece and get an online authentication and verification service. This is what you have just done.

You have two images, one is an original and the other is a copy, a printed version. The same image, the same support, the same dimensions, the same form, the same signature, the same chip. But only one is the original. Which one? LegitimID provides the answer. Trustworthy. Genuine-by-LegitimID .

About LegitimID Project www.legitimid.ro

Project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Competitiveness Operational Program, 2014 – 2020 Competitive Together! Priority Axis 2 – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a competitive digital economy. The LegitimID Innovation Clutster is fouded by Online Services, Next Planet and WidCom for research, innovation, project management, products development and more.

About the artwork www.apreutesei.ro

This artwork (The dew drops) is part of a collection entitled Spira mirabilis, a theme chosen by the artist, Dorin Apreutesei, for his National University of Arts (UNARTE) graduation project.
He was inspired by the golden ratio, Fibonacci numbers and spira mirabilis in nature and created a series of artworks resembling these forms (sunflower head, nautilus shells, galaxies, stairs, whirlpool etc.) Green is a dominant color of the background of the spiral series along with yellow and blue, to celebrate the renaissance, the growth, the light, the optimism, hope and harmony.