Printers

[An archist]

Suppose I want to print out some sheets and hang 'em around town on 'illegal' places. Is there a way they can see where those sheets were printed, like an invisible printermark or something?
People have told me this, I'm not sure about it.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by An [email protected] 28 2006, 12:49 PM
Suppose I want to print out some sheets and hang 'em around town on 'illegal' places. Is there a way they can see where those sheets were printed, like an invisible printermark or something?
People have told me this, I'm not sure about it.
There are a few local printers where I live, the only issue I have, is the cost. I've never heard of there begin anything hidden on the printings, this sounds like bullshit to me.

The closest things to this, as far as I can tell, are when the printers put their own name on the product you requested as a way of publicising themselves (though most printers don't do this) or a safeguard comment like "this sticker is for personal use only" so they can't get fucked if you get caught putting them around illegally.

So, I wouldn't worry, if you do put up flyposters illegally, or stickers, it's unlikely the police will even bother ripping them down. If you get caught, they'd probably just conviscate your posters, or leaflets or whatever. They certainly wont chase up where they were printed and break down your door at 3am :P

[Taboo Tongue]

My knowledge on the subject isn't super extensive but if for whatever reason they really cared, the only thing I could think they may be able to trace is the ink, or if you left prints or something. I doubt they will care that much however.

[which doctor]

I once heard that in some home printers there are sensors that monitor what you print. I guess it's assumed that these sensors send info to the gov't.

I know it may sound far-fetched, but I I'm pretty sure it's true/

[lithium]

FoB I'd be dubious about that. The only way to send it would be via the Internet. If you use an offline printer then how can they check?

[roguetrick]

Yes, printers have a code attached to what they print(or at least did before it was blown wide open).
Source:
http://www.physorg.com/news7399.html

Edit:
I have to add that theres no way local police could get access to the government's secret stash like that. Though I guess I'd avoid posting your leaflets on post offices? Haha.

(I think thats a good first post)

[lithium]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2006, 10:37 PM
Yes, printers have a code attached to what they print(or at least did before it was blown wide open).
Source:
http://www.physorg.com/news7399.html

(I think thats a good first post)
Yes, I have heard that. And that makes me wary about printing off stuff. But give it time and someone will come up with a way to disable it :lol:

[which doctor]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28 2006, 05:35 PM
FoB I'd be dubious about that. The only way to send it would be via the Internet. If you use an offline printer then how can they check?
Something similar...


http://www.eff.org/Privacy/printers/wp.php
http://www.eff.org/Privacy/printers/list.php
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,118664-page,1/article.html

[captain donald]

simply another obstacle set to guard the populations sharing of information. It will probably stand as a legitimate action against counterfeiters and i have low expectations the general public will seek to overturn it unlike the "save the internet" campaign which gained mass popularity. This is due to the fact the majority do not print controversial information just those e-mail forwards that lord knows are'nt funny in the least.

so making this a widespread issue that people will feel strongly about...how?

[Okocim]

photocopying is cheaper so if someone was going to make many leaflets/posters it'd probably be a lot cheaper to just print one off and then photocopy as many as they needed.


printers leave distinct patterns when they print - I saw it on some US crime show on tv once; the cops used this as evidence against a murderer or something. I seriously doubt they'd go round looking for the printer though if it's just posters.

[loveme4whoiam]

printers leave distinct patterns when they print - I saw it on some US crime show on tv once; the cops used this as evidence against a murderer or something. I seriously doubt they'd go round looking for the printer though if it's just posters.
CSI baby :P I've seen that episode a couple of times, and yeah I believe it, it certainly sounds plausible and well within the means of electronics companies and the US gov't. But like Okocim says, I doubt they would go to all those lengths for some posters.