Abstract: A system and method to permit brand owners to maintain control over their valuable brands in a virtual economy. The system and method feature a mark to permit legitimate branded items to be identified. Optionally and preferably, the system and method also enable non-legitimate, “fake” or fraudulent branded items to be identified. Such branded items include but are not limited to, any type of trademark, including without limitation any type of word mark, color, logo, slogan or any other suitable type of trademark; any object designed by or associated with the brand; and any item featuring any component or material that is trademarked, patented or copyrighted.