Fake cues everywhere, I have an idea !

[willtyson]

Cues will be microchipped like dogs at this rate

If anything, the amount of 'fakes' will do Parris good, as people want to ensure they get the real deal, so will go straight to Parris' store instead of picking up a S/H cue.

This company actually do so http://www.aratakicues.wozaonline.co.za/home

[mythman69]

Geez, I didn't think it would be cheap enough to microchip a cue . . .

[SouthPaw]

The fakes are only going to get better and it's going to get harder to spot fakes especially from the obvious place... China

Maybe something can be done in the future that is not too costly to the top cue makers..?

[taipafan]

Guys, I think the TS meant using amber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber) on the cue, most likely the badge.

Yeah, I'd fancy a badge made of amber. It's beautiful.

Yes, this is what I meant Amber.
The raw material can be as cheap as 10 pence per gram.
They are cheap, beautiful, unique, and no need to use special tool to tell if it is the same as the photo taken by the cuemaker.

[Wayne G]

He had a page on his website listing every cues number, design, etc - but it's no longer there. - Better?

Yes, better. I wasn't aware of this. Thanks again.

[ADR147]

although amber looks crappy which is an issue! as for china if they can fake a bmw x5 and the government will ignore it i suspect they don't care about a lowly british cue maker!

[kowloonfan]

Yes, this is what I meant Amber.
The raw material can be as cheap as 10 pence per gram.
They are cheap, beautiful, unique, and no need to use special tool to tell if it is the same as the photo taken by the cuemaker.

Guys, I think the TS meant using amber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber) on the cue, most likely the badge.

Yeah, I'd fancy a badge made of amber. It's beautiful.

[jono*]

Interesting.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/hunt-obyrn...item257fbe917d

[JasonOwen]

Interestingly Jason Owen started off doing this, but it seems this page has been removed? Wonder why?

Hi, To be honest it just seemed like a boring long list so removed it, plus it was a bit of a task to keep up to date.
I have got pictures of every single cue ive made and will happily send a pic of a particular one to anyone concerned that they may be buying a fake.

[jrc750]

Wasn't boring (well maybe to you ) it was cue porn

[Exile]

I have a friend who has already patented micro chipping cues and is about to start talkingt o the big boys about it.

I've personally seen what he intends to do as he's been asking me about retro fitting them into cues as an anti theft deterrant. They could also be installed as a mark of being orrigional.

I've told him about this thread and should be along soon to explain in more detail.

[Down the rail]

Bizarre, micro chipped cue's whatever will they think of next. Don't mean to be rude but this sounds like one of those dragon den really bad ideas. I wouldn't hold your breath on this catching on.

[Exile]

Here is the info from my friend Alan:

Traditionally I stay away from forums hence I have asked my friend to post this on my behalf.

Rest assured I am not trying to use this forum as a piggy back launch, but as this is going to happen anyway and I have total faith in my Intellectual Property I thought I would give a sneak preview as to what is coming soon:

Having fallen victim to cue theft in the past I decided enough was enough. I’ve been involved with Research & Development and Intellectual property for over 10 years so what better chance to do something about it.

The whole ethos of the company (Cue-Chip) is to reduce the number of cues thefts and increase the chances of a cue being returned to its rightful owner.
Even if we only stop one cue theft a year, then it’s success.

Whilst Micro chipping in principle is a great idea, the issue is the supporting package.

The recent technological advances in chip size reduction, means they be can pretty much be fitted to anything, whether it’s a cue, a bike or even a bag, it’s a proven and fast growing technology (worth over $7 Billion P.A.) for identifying property and increasing rightful owner return rate.

As this itself is not unique or have an inventive step, it can’t be patented.

Furthermore, thieves now look for microchips to remove or destroy them from stolen items; for example if an expensive mountain bike has a sticker saying “this bike has been micro chipped” then the thieves will find and destroy the microchip, simple.

This is where it gets interesting in that what has been developed and subsequently patented is a special method of fitment (sometimes referred to as a ‘utility’ patent) in that once the microchip has been fitted it cannot be removed or damaged, at least without destroying the cue.

This is a huge deterrent, in that if the chip is permanent, then the re-sale value is effectively zero without the accompanying ownership certificate to compliment the data stored in the chip.

The chips being tested will be compatible with the scanners as used by trading standards and all the UK Police forces, each microchip will have its own unique serial number which will in turn be linked to the NMPR (Nation Mobile Property Register) as used by the UK police who we are working with closely.

The patent and method is very extensive in that covers fitting before, during and after manufacture of the cue.

Currently the final prototypes are being tested and we are trying to keep costs to a minimum and looking likely to be £20-30 fitted.

In addition the microchip will come with a lifetime warranty, a certificate and a tamper proof ‘Fitted with microchip’ cue case sticker, there are no annual fees.
Cues can still be sold should on, should the rightful owner wish and the data of the new owner transferred on the various supporting electronic data bases which we will take care of.

It’s not just aimed at expensive cues, as some players have cheaper cues but have huge sentimental value to their owners; having a cue chip fitted is the ultimate theft deterrent.

We are also in discussions with various clubs and halls to provide them with scanners so that players can check their chips at no cost to them.

The company will be launched in the next 6-12 months, subject to satisfactory testing of the final prototypes.

No doubt there are going to be lots of questions and a myriad of posts in this thread, but that’s all I’m giving away for now, in the meantime watch this space as we will be building a supporting and extensive website which will show authorised fitters & cue makes and will also feature a ‘stolen cues’ section.

Alan Yates

-Founder Cue-Chip
If anybody is interested in becoming and authorised Cue-Chip fitter, then they can drop me a P.M. and I’ll pass your details on to him for follow up.

[DeanH]

yep, microchip technology has gotten to the point where practically anything can have one inside.
What are people's thoughts, would the chip be under the badge or in the drilled hole for the weight/joint?
Would the lead weight interfere with the microchip?
Any of our regular cue makers on TSF have any thoughts?


maybe there can be an agreed symbol of a "chip" which such a cue would have on the badge?

[cueman]

TBH I just don't see it catching on. Maybe for the very expensive cues such as JPU or very top end TW or MW but who really is going to be that worried about cue theft? If you look after a cue properly and don't leave it unattended etc I just can't see how a cue can be stolen. Its not like its big business to steal expensive cues as the majority of people haven't a clue about the value of them.

The only benefit would be of an anti fraud style thing but then who is going to run this operation and how easy will it be to go to a someone who can scan the cue to make sure its real? No good if only one company in the middle of nowhere is running this or even if they have a small chain of outlets because most people buy cues off Ebay and once the money has parted there is no way of getting that back. So its no good finding out after the damage has been done that the cue is fake.