Thumbnail Certificate of Authenticity (COA) launching May 24, 2021

Created Date: 2021-04-01 |  Last Modified: 2021-07-20

Applies To: Direct Embedded / IoT OEM, Embedded and IoT Distributor, Named, ODM, TVO

Programs impacted: IoT/Embedded

FAQ updated – Thumbnail COA application technique video added.

Updated April 16, 2021

External Product Specification for the Thumbnail COA (Jade) is available.

Summary

This communication provides an overview of upcoming design changes to the Thumbnail Certificate of Authenticity (COA) launching 24 May, 2021.

Details

Microsoft utilizes a variety of ANTI-PIRACY (AP) features in COAs and needs to change those features from time to time to improve the feature strength of the ANTI-PIRACY (AP) technologies deployed in COAs.

Microsoft intends to upgrade the features for the following COA types:

  • Embedded Thumbnail COA

The artwork design and ANTI-PIRACY features will be changing. The new Gemstone Thumbnail COA (Jade) will be printed on a polymer substrate (PET) rather than paper. The weight of adhesive will reduce to ensure optimum performance with the polymer substrate. There will be no changes to the COA dimensions for the new Thumbnail 'Jade' COA.

Partners should assess whether these changes to the Embedded Thumbnail COA label will have any impact on them.

On May 24, 2021, the SPV will start shipping Thumbnail COA to ARs with the new Jade COA design.
ARs will be permitted to ship any existing stocks of the current Thumbnail COA design until 23 August 2021.
COA End Item Part Numbers which OEM Partners use to order COA from ARs will not be changing.

For any additional information on the Jade COA Refresh please contact your Authorized Replicator.

FAQ

  1. What is the timeline for transition?

On the Monday, May 24, 2021, De La Rue will start shipping the new Jade Thumbnail COA to ARs.

For a 3-month period until Monday, August 23, 2021, ARs can ship either the old design thumbnail COA or the new design thumbnail COA.

From August 24, 2021, ARs may only ship the new Jade design thumbnail COAs.

Partners may ship to exhaust the old Thumbnail COA.

Date
Action
May 24, 2021 De La Rue (SPV) starts shipping new Jade Thumbnail COA to ARs.
May 24, 2021 – August 23, 2021 ARs ship to exhaust the old design thumbnail COA or ship the new design thumbnail COA.
August 24, 2021 onwards ARs ship new Thumbnail COA only.
Partners can ship old Thumbnail COA inventory to exhaust.
May 24, 2021
De La Rue (SPV) starts shipping new Jade Thumbnail COA to ARs.
May 24, 2021 – August 23, 2021
ARs ship to exhaust the old design thumbnail COA or ship the new design thumbnail COA.
August 24, 2021 onwards
ARs ship new Thumbnail COA only.
Partners can ship old Thumbnail COA inventory to exhaust.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021 – August 23, 2021
August 24, 2021 onwards
  1. Will the part numbers change?

The COA End Item part numbers that OEM Partners use to order COA from ARs will not change. The BLS part numbers that ARs use to order COA from the Secure Print Vendor will be changing however this will not impact OEM Partners.

  1. What features are changing?

The artwork design and ANTI-PIRACY (AP) features will be changing. The new Gemstone Thumbnail COA (Jade) will be printed on a polymer substrate (PET) rather than paper. The weight of adhesive will reduce to ensure optimum performance with the polymer substrate. There will be no changes to the COA dimensions for the new ‘Jade’ COA.

Please see the below table for information on the ANTI-PIRACY feature updates.

Details on the new security features will be published on http://howtotell.com prior to launch.

Current Features
Next Generation Features
  • Lithographic medallion relief background print
  • Lithographic microprint lettering
  • Intaglio tactility
  • Intaglio latent image
  • Intaglio extra small print (ESP)
  • Intaglio microprint
  • Split text intaglio colour splits
  • Internal Security die-cuts
  • Base label symbols as market differentiators
  • Depth dimension of 21mm
  • The new Gemstone Thumbnail COA (Jade) will be printed on a polymer substrate (PET) rather than paper.
  • Enhanced holographic features - switching logo blocks and starburst lines.
  • Holographic microtext reading "Microsoft".
  • Lithographic print with Microsoft branding.
  • Anti-tamper feature.
  • The weight of adhesive will reduce to ensure optimum performance with the polymer substrate.
  • Lithographic medallion relief background print
  • Lithographic microprint lettering
  • Intaglio tactility
  • Intaglio latent image
  • Intaglio extra small print (ESP)
  • Intaglio microprint
  • Split text intaglio colour splits
  • Internal Security die-cuts
  • Base label symbols as market differentiators
  • Depth dimension of 21mm
  • The new Gemstone Thumbnail COA (Jade) will be printed on a polymer substrate (PET) rather than paper.
  • Enhanced holographic features - switching logo blocks and starburst lines.
  • Holographic microtext reading "Microsoft".
  • Lithographic print with Microsoft branding.
  • Anti-tamper feature.
  • The weight of adhesive will reduce to ensure optimum performance with the polymer substrate.
  • Lithographic medallion relief background print
  • Lithographic microprint lettering
  • Intaglio tactility
  • Intaglio latent image
  • Intaglio extra small print (ESP)
  • Intaglio microprint
  • Split text intaglio colour splits
  • Internal Security die-cuts
  • Base label symbols as market differentiators
  • Depth dimension of 21mm
Features that remain unchanged
  • Thumbnail COA Dimensions
  • All Data Elements and Fields
  • Adhesive
  • Durability
  • RoHS / REACH compliance
  • Thumbnail COA Dimensions
  • All Data Elements and Fields
  • Adhesive
  • Durability
  • RoHS / REACH compliance
  • Thumbnail COA Dimensions
  • All Data Elements and Fields
  • Adhesive
  • Durability
  • RoHS / REACH compliance
  1. What will the new Jade Thumbnail COA look like?
Astro Thumbnail COA (Star)
Gemstone Thumbnail COA (Jade)

22.33mm x 8.74mm

Astro Thumbnail COA

22.33mm x 8.74mm

Gemstone Thumbnail COA

22.33mm x 8.74mm

Astro Thumbnail COA

22.33mm x 8.74mm

Gemstone Thumbnail COA

22.33mm x 8.74mm

Astro Thumbnail COA
  1. When will the design specification for the new Jade Thumbnail COA be published?

The design specification is available at Thumbnail COA External Product Specification.

  1. Will samples of the new Jade Thumbnail COAs be available?

Samples of small quantities of the new COA labels will be available on request. Contact your AR to request samples.

  1. What are the recommended application techniques for the Jade Thumbnail COA?

Videos demonstrating the recommended handling procedure for removing the Jade Thumbnail COA labels from the backing liner and application can be found in the Jade Thumbnail COA Application Techniques video.