Your need: to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into suspected counterfeiting
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What is counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting refers to the partial or total reproduction or imitation of a product or a chemical formulation. In the case of an industrial product, it refers to deceptive practices intended to create confusion between the characteristics of the original product (packaging, container, formulation, etc.) and the counterfeit product (chemical formulation, raw material, etc.).
Counterfeiting currently affects several industrial sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry (more than 10% of medicines in circulation are reportedly counterfeit), cosmetics, luxury goods and, more broadly, the production of chemical materials or substances.
Why use a laboratory to identify counterfeit products?
The purpose of a counterfeit analysis is to provide objective scientific evidence demonstrating the partial or complete reproduction of a product protected by a patent, process, or formulation.
Industries concerned by counterfeit analysis
Laboratory counterfeit analysis services are intended for sectors where patented formulations, materials and processes represent a strategic concern.
Pharmaceuticals: comparison of medicines, composition verification, identification of impurities or assessment of similarity with a patented product.
Pharmaceuticals: comparison of medicines, composition verification, identification of impurities or assessment of similarity with a patented product.
Medical devices: analysis of materials, coatings or surface treatments to assess a potential patent infringement.
Medical devices: Analysis of materials, coatings or surface treatments to assess a potential patent infringement.
Medical devices: Analysis of materials, coatings or surface treatments to assess a potential patent infringement.
Chemicals: analysis of formulations, comparison of additives or catalysts, and study of the similarity of synthesis processes.
Chemicals: analysis of formulations, comparison of additives or catalysts, and study of the similarity of synthesis processes.
Cosmetics: comparison of formulas, identification of specific active ingredients, and analysis of the similarity of patented textures or systems.
Cosmetics: comparison of formulas, identification of specific active ingredients, and analysis of the similarity of patented textures or systems.
Materials / Polymers: characterization of polymer compositions, analysis of additives, study of multilayer structures and physicochemical properties.
Materials / Polymers: characterization of polymer compositions, analysis of additives, study of multilayer structures and physicochemical properties.
Our solution: FILAB conducts counterfeit product, material and formulation assessments and studies
Thanks to our specialists and cutting-edge analytical techniques, we identify suspicious components in counterfeit products, analyze the potential presence of harmful substances or the absence of essential active ingredients, in order to provide concrete evidence that can confirm counterfeiting.
Our counterfeit analysis services
Services provided as part of a counterfeit analysis
The analysis is conducted using a rigorous approach tailored to the specific characteristics of the product and the claims of the relevant patent.
- Qualitative and quantitative identification of constituents
- Comparison of raw materials and additives
- Demonstration of formulation similarity
- Detection of specific markers or technological signatures
- Verification of compliance with the claimed specifications
- Comparison of physicochemical performance
- Assessment of technical differences between the original product and the suspected counterfeit
- Testing for impurities or contaminants
- Identification of synthesis by-products
- Detection of features indicative of a specific process
- Analysis of constituent materials
- Comparison of polymers, inks, or coatings
- Study of the multilayer structure
- Identification of protected technical elements
Our technical resources for counterfeit analysis
Characteristics observed in the laboratory during a similarity analysis
Depending on the nature of the product, different characteristics are assessed:
- Qualitative and quantitative chemical composition
- Molecular structure
- Particle size distribution
- Morphology and microstructure
- Thermal properties
- Mechanical properties
- Spectral signature
- Presence of specific technological markers
- Impurity content
- Multilayer organization or internal architecture
The approach is based on a combination of multiple techniques, making it possible to cross-reference data and objectively assess similarity.
Applications
Issue: A competing medicine has a composition and performance similar to a patent-protected product. The objective is to determine whether the claimed formulation or process has been reproduced.
Analytical solution: A laboratory counterfeit analysis compares the qualitative and quantitative composition, excipients, impurities and process signatures to assess the level of technical similarity as part of a patent copy analysis.
Issue: A competing cosmetic product appears similar to a protected formula, particularly in terms of texture, active ingredients or emulsion system.
Analytical solution: The laboratory performs a similarity analysis focusing on the chemical composition, active ingredients and formulation structure to objectively determine whether the patented characteristics may have been reproduced.
Our FAQ
To obtain a quote for a counterfeit analysis, please complete the online form so that our team can contact you. You can also reach us by phone: 03 80 52 32 05.
A quote is provided within 24 to 48 hours after receipt of the necessary information.
This is a study comparing a suspect product with a product or process protected by a patent in order to assess any potential technical reproduction.
Similarity analysis compares two products from a technical perspective. Patent copying analysis specifically aims to verify the reproduction of protected claims.
The laboratory does not determine the legal qualification of infringement. It provides objective technical information to inform a legal decision.
Yes. A reverse engineering analysis can identify a product’s constituents even without any prior information.
Polymer materials, chemical products, coatings, liquid or solid formulations, technical devices, industrial components.
A counterfeit laboratory provides independent scientific expertise to objectively compare two products or processes.
Technical analysis help assess the reproduction of features claimed in a patent and provide factual information that can be used in pre-litigation or litigation proceedings.
Issues involving the copying of formulations or processes require advanced analytical capabilities and a multi-technique approach.
FILAB has the equipment and expertise required to identify chemical signatures, specific markers, or structural similarities.
