Licensing Infringements & Supply Chain Intelligence
Monitoring licensing infringements within the context of supply chain intelligence relies on a targeted combination of investigative methods and diverse data sources. This methodology was especially developed to support eh electronics, gaming and technology sectors.
A key approach is trade analysis, which examines the physical flows of finished goods, components, and packaging materials. This helps trace the movement of products across borders and can highlight suspicious trade patterns.
In parallel, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) and covert enquiries provide valuable insights into fraudulent activities involving serial numbers and product activation codes. In some cases, sellers or producers—particularly when motivated by a large potential sale—may reveal aspects of their modus operandi during an engagement with investigators. While they may not disclose specific lists of illicitly used codes, they might share critical information such as:
The format or structure of the codes
Whether a single code is reused or a sequence is followed
The regional or temporal scope of the codes in use
These insights, when cross-referenced with shipment intelligence, help construct a comprehensive view of the infringer’s operations, both online and offline.
Occasionally, the brand owner is already aware of the infringed serial numbers or product codes. In such cases, ApiraSol uses this information—alongside any known entities or addresses linked to the misuse—to guide and accelerate the investigation. Often, the brand may have also mapped the misuse to specific geographic regions or identified a network of actors.
ApiraSol adds value by contributing the supply chain perspective, identifying links in trade data that may corroborate the misuse of product codes—even when the infringement occurred in digital environments. Notably, illicit product codes sometimes surface directly in customs or trade datasets, reinforcing the connection between digital fraud and physical supply chain movements.
