Homeland Security In Sheet Music Publishing!

The Tresser Printing Office which publishes and prints sheet music and books has made use of new technology with regard to security printing and it's application to sheet music production. One of the most important concerns of music publishers in they should be able to identify “original product" from counterfeit or bootleg sheet music usually produced by copy machines and quick copy printers. It is always good to identify the real product from the knockoff! Some of the new technology includes the use of invisible florescent printing inks which are invisible to the naked eye-but when viewed under an ultraviolet light an image which can be a logo, service mark, background type, or any image will become visible. If someone makes an illegal copy, the illegal copy won't contain the invisible ink and can be easily identified as a counterfeit piece of sheet music. Other technologies include color shifting ink, microprinting (hidden into artwork). Just like currency and banknotes are printed holograms also offer protection. In order to win a copyright infringement lawsuit it is always good to prove your case in court by proving the work has been infringed (copied illegally). Invisible florescent ink can be applied with regular offset printing using clean rollers (to prevent color contamination and keep image invisible). Use of special paper is expected to come into general use in the future which does not allow photocopying. This paper is expensive but int he future the price will drop as more and more demand and it comes into general use by music publishers. There are very fine screens used to make this special security paper which can contain a hidden message like “VOID", and will become very visible especially on illegal counterfeit bootleg copies of copyrighted works. Doctors are using this paper for prescriptions (to prevent fraud). Invisible florescent ink in my opinion is the cheapest and best protection at present. It is available in various colors with blue for lesser security applications and yellow for higher security applications. This ink is made by such companies as GANS ink and Supply Company in California which was one of the first developers of this ink for use in security applications. Other uses for such inks includes the legal production of drivers licenses, admission passes or tickets, other value documents, including currency, banknote printing, anywhere security is needed.

Stuart H. Tresser, Music Publisher TRESSER MUSIC