US Patent 11304059 Techniques for determining authenticity of an item

Techniques are described for verifying the authenticity an item using a computer network comprising a plurality of databases associated with various entities in a chain of ownership of the item. The databases store records of transactions involving transfers of ownership of the item, along with other authenticity relevant information. In some embodiments, an item is deemed to be authentic upon determining, based on information stored in the databases, at least the following: that an item identifier, received from a device associated with an entity requesting authenticity verification, exists in a database associated with a manufacturer of the item; that an entity offering the item for sale is associated with the manufacturer; and that a database associated with the entity offering the item for sale (1) contains an entry corresponding to the item identifier and (2) the entry indicates the item is available for sale by that entity.