may read bar code 38 e on the label of item 16 when a customer 26 wishes to purchase an item say item 16 e customer 26 may scan bar code 38 e on item 16 e with bar code 40 c a portion of pos unit 42 pos unit 42 may send a query 30 to authority 10 requesting a verification of whether or not item 16 e is original and available for sale by retailer 24 authority 10 may then check its records according to the flow of data it has received if the records so indicate authority 10 may then send step 32 a verification to pos 42 verifying that item 16 is a non counterfeit original and is available for sale by retailer 24 customer 26 may view query 30 and verification 32 at pos unit 42 so that customer 26 may be assured that item 16 e is an original additionally a printed certificate of authenticity may be printed out for customer 26 by pos 42 so that proof of authenticity may be retained the proof of authenticity may be on the sales receipt or on a separate printout once the sale has been consummated pos 42 may indicate so to authority 10 and authority 10 may update its records indicating that item 16 e is no longer for sale if customer 26 returns item 16 e pos 42 or another code reader 40 may update authority 10 that item 16 e is once again for sale customer 26 may also directly connect to authority 10 to verify that item 16 e is authentic authority 10 may ask for sales data such as uan 18 listed on a sales receipt and may.