Chips DNA

Counterfeit electronics and the cost of complying with new laws on detecting and replacing counterfeit items is causing concern in the USA. The law requires the US Government to buy parts either directly from the manufacturer, their authorized distributors, or from "trusted suppliers". Details are still being worked out, but to be categorized as trusted suppliers independent sources would likely be required to meet certain standards and be held liable in the event that they sell a counterfeit part to the government. In one approach to reducing counterfeiting botanical DNA is used to authenticate microcircuit chips. The use of a this type of DNA signature is already being used to prevent counterfeiting of such items as wine, textiles and bank notes.