MICHAEL E. MAROTTA ANNOUNCES THE EURION PROJECT

We have problems archiving modern banknotes. The central banks of thirty-one nations in conjunction with the makers of computers, software, and peripheral equipment agreed to a security protocol intended to reduce the threat of counterfeiting. Unfortunately, these barriers also prevent the legitmate work of numismatists, educators, and researchers.

The Eurion Project is an effort to help numismatists and other legitimate investigators.

The name of the project comes from the "Eurion Constellation" of zeroes (also called OMRON rings) found on many modern banknotes. Originally devised to thwart reproduction of banknotes on large, automatic photocopiers, that device itself is neither necessary nor sufficient to prevent our work, but was previously thought to do so. It is still a useful name. And it indicates the benefit of open investigation, research, and reporting, as the original summary by university professor Markus Kuhn was corrected by his colleague Steven J. Murdoch a few years later.

My goal is to establish a database of known hardware, software, and target banknotes, which will allow numismatists to download binary patches to re-enable the archiving, storage, transmission and reproduction of fiduciary instruments.

Understand that in addition to the barriers created by the banks and computer companies, US law proscribes certain actions. The US Code Title 18 Part I Chapter 25 prohibits the transmittal of the tools of counterfeiting by electronic means. Therefore, I have a contact at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an attorney who is helping me to frame the project within the confines of the law. Those same laws also include mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury establish guidelines for the legitimate use of these media.

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 25 > § 474(b)

"... The Secretary shall establish a system (pursuant to section 504) to ensure that the legitimate use of such electronic methods and retention of such reproductions by businesses, hobbyists, press and others shall not be unduly restricted."

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 25 > § 504 Printing and filming of United States and foreign obligations and securities

(2) ... The Secretary shall establish a system to ensure that the legitimate use of such electronic methods and retention of such reproductions by businesses, hobbyists, press or others shall not be unduly restricted.

For now, I am only gathering information. I have no solutions to offer, no programs or binary patches. I announced this project on a couple of message boards (CoinPeople and CoinTalk) before bringing it to The E-Sylum.

On December 1 and December 8, 2010, I spoke to two local security groups in Ann Arbor. As they are not numismatists, I pointed out that several of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence also signed the paper money of their colonies and states. Former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence H. Summers became the president of Harvard University. Andrew Mellon's name graces one of our most prestigious universities. Salmon P. Chase was a Supreme Court Justice. Signatures matter -- and they are just one detail. History is at risk.

Anyone who wants to know more can start with these sites:

The Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG)
www.rulesforuse.org

Eurion Constellation
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EURion_constellation

Dr. Steven J. Murdoch
www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~sjm217/

In addition to my numismatic credentials, in 2008, I earned a bachelor of science degree in criminology. My contact information is on my website, www.washtenawjustice.com .

Wayne Homren, Editor

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