Abstract: A unique identifier and Authentication System is created to Authenticate to interested parties the BRAND “SOURCE” of: articles (such as clothing, accessories, jewels, fragrances, manufactures, etc.); of authorized dealers for such articles (wholesalers, retailers, etc.); of authorized service entities for such articles: and for the like; of the BRAND “SOURCE” which the provider of the article desires to authenticate its Brand source to the party acquiring the article(s) to substantiate to that acquiring party that they are receiving a genuine article and/or dealing with a “SOURCE” authorized entity. The Authentication System accommodates not only camera enabled imagers and hard wiring but also camera enabled smart phones and internet communications. In addition to responding, in real time, to Authentication Inquiries the system establishes a communication link between the “SOURCE” and the inquirer for marketing and other APP like matters.

Abstract: Persons and/or business entities (inquirers), interested in acquiring a BRANDED article, or availing themselves of a BRANDED service, upon seeing IDENTIFIER 110 with BRAND 120 of authenticator 54, as carried by the article or its packaging or associated with a service, are enabled to recognize that the BRAND SOURCE of such article(s) or service is authenticatable and the article trackable. By imaging the unique encoded symbology 112, carried by IDENTIFIER 110, and transmitting the image, and/or its decode, to administrator 54 authentication of the BRAND SOURCE and tracking of the article may be accomplished. Authenticator 54, upon receipt of the image, and/or decode, of the encoded symbology 112 carried by the article or service, may query authenticator data base 58 (FIG. 1) and seek a match, from data previously stored in data base 58 for stored data corresponding to the so received decode of the specific encoded symbology carried by the article or service.

Abstract: A unique identifier and Authentication System is created to Authenticate to interested parties the BRAND “SOURCE” of: articles (such as clothing, accessories, jewels, fragrances, manufactures, etc.); of authorized dealers for such articles (wholesalers, retailers, etc.); of authorized service entities for such articles: and for the like; of the BRAND “SOURCE” which the provider of the article desires to authenticate its Brand source to the party acquiring the article(s) to substantiate to that acquiring party that they are receiving a genuine article and/or dealing with a “SOURCE” authorized entity. The Authentication System accommodates not only camera enabled imagers and hard wiring but also camera enabled smart phones and internet communications. In addition to responding, in real time, to Authentication Inquiries the system establishes a communication link between the “SOURCE” and the inquirer for marketing and other APP like matters.