Abstract: A method and system that permits artistic works that are accessed on the internet or from a data center to be down loaded pursuant to an agreement with a representative of the copyright owner to users of postal security devices to pay for their use of copyrighted artistic works. A scanner at the post would read the already existing indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract a unique identifier contained on the mail piece that is associated with the artistic or graphical information contracted to appear on the mail piece. The scanner with also read tracking information that is contained in the unique identifier. The extracted unique identifier would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the unique identifier on the mail piece with information about artistic or graphical information that has previously been uploaded from sending postal security devices to determine when the track mail piece arrived at a post office near the addressee.

Abstract: A method and system that permits artistic works that are accessed on the internet or from a data center to be down loaded pursuant to an agreement with a representative of the copyright owner to users of postal security devices to pay for their use of copyrighted artistic works. A scanner at the post would read the already existing Information-Based Indicia and other information on the mail piece and then extract a unique identifier contained in the Information-Based Indicia that is associated with the artistic or graphical information contracted to appear on the mail piece. The extracted unique identifier would be periodically uploaded to a data center. The data center would compare the unique identifier on the mail piece with information about artistic or graphical information that has previously been uploaded from sending postal security devices to determine if misuse has been committed in the production of the artistic or graphical information.

Abstract: A system for visually detecting unauthorized print value, such as postal indicia on a mail piece. At least one print image is imprinted on a document based upon predetermined relationships and corresponding to a relationship indicator such that the relationship indicator is made known to an authority who may visually inspect the document to detect whether the value was printed by an authorized machine. The relationship indicator may be dependent on valid indicia, geographical location, time of printing, document position, print graphic or like information. The print graphic may also be imprinted in invisible ink for increased security.