Secure Your Intellectual Property with a Copy-Protected USB

Now, you can protect your Intellectual Property from illegal copying or duplication with a simple solution: Acutrack’s USB flash drive copy protection services. This copy protection innovation allows you to share your digital Intellectual Property data without any risk of Internet theft. Now you can have peace of mind when it comes to publishing and distributing your reports, documents, articles and videos, allowing others to access your content but preventing them from copying or distributing it further. This is a stand-alone solution that does not require an Internet connection or authentication from an off-site server. Everything runs 100% from the flash drive itself. There is no software to install to view the files, and no administrator rights required: just plug in the drive and you can immediately access the content.

Key Features of Acutrack’s USB Copy Protection Services:

Our DRM (Digital Rights Management) security offers the following key features:
• The content can be viewed, but it cannot be copied or shared.
• Data and files cannot be deleted or formatted from the USB drive.
• Copy-protected files formatted in PDF, html and text cannot be printed without permission, which means their dissemination is up to you.
• Users cannot select content from one document and copy and paste it into another; this prevents users from performing a “select all” copy and paste from within a PDF.
• Users cannot take screen grabs on Mac computers or perform print screens on Windows devices.
• Files can be set to expire at a specific date and time, which is ideal for subscription-based applications
• This solution is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers.
• There is no software to install on the host computer because the protected content runs 100% from the flash drive.
• Administrator rights are not required because nothing is installed on the host computer; this is ideal for large corporations and government agencies.

We Make It Easy
You provide us your content and requirements, and we deliver copy-protected USBs. You don’t have to buy any software or pay any licensing fees. There is no password protection or unlocking. We make it easy.
Fully Branded & Customized Packaging
Each USB flash drive is fully customized with your logo or product details, featuring full color printing on both sides of the flash drive. USBs are printed with superior quality UV print technology, which makes the print fade- and scratch-resistant. We offer two elegant packaging choices: a Clear Clam shell package and Tin case packaging.
Distribute Textbooks as Protected PDF Documents
Now you can electronically distribute your textbooks, flashcards or training documents via USB. Our USB copy protection solution is the only option to safeguard your intellectual data, produced as PDF files, from copying or distribution. We offer flexible options to make your data PDF-printable if needed and provide full security of your documents against copy and paste or screen prints.
Distribute Video Files as Protected MP3 Files
Deliver your training videos on a single USB flash drive, depending on file size. This not only helps save on mailing costs but also helps users to navigate all files from a single drive. If you have multiple video clips, we can also help create an interactive catalog with menu so users can select the video chapters from the menu and avoid navigating the USB flash drive. All MP3 files are fully safeguarded once the copy protection is in place.
Takeaway
Acutrack allows you to distribute your content on a fully secured USB flash drive. If you are distributing content, such as textbooks, training documents in PDF or training videos as MP3s, you have no control over digital distribution or via DVD. Most copy protection offered on DVD to protect PDF or MP3 files can be easily hacked, or users may find files too cumbersome when it comes to navigation and usability. Acutrack’s copy-protected USB is essentially the only solution to protect your Intellectual Property from theft and provides ease of use for your data’s end-users.

Paying Custom Duties and Taxes when Shipping Products from US

Goods shipped may incur Duty and VAT when shipped to international destinations. Customs Duty is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders. The purpose of Customs Duty is to protect each country's economy, residents, jobs, environment, etc., by controlling the flow of goods. VAT is (similar to Sales tax in US) a consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. This national/local tax applies more or less to all goods and services that are bought and sold for use or consumption in the Community. Total amount of Duty and VAT varies based on the destination country, nature of the product (Harmonized Code), country of manufacture and value of the product. There is no way to predict this value ahead of time.

• eCommerce retailers must bring clarity:  Most eCommerce retailers clarifies in their terms and conditions that the person receiving a shipment is obliged to pay Duty and VAT. In some cases, the shipped can choose a private carrier (FedEx, UPS or DHL) and send a shipment to cover the cost of duties and VAT. In such situation, the shipper gets billed later once the Duty and VAT gets calculated and product delivered. The sender does not have any option to pay Duty and VAT when shipping smaller consumer related items via USPS. Duty and VAT, if applicable, must then be covered by the person receiving the shipment. Individuals buying products from US should be careful about these extra charges and must read the supplier’s website on the responsibilities for covering these charges.
• Calculating duties/taxes:  Customs officials use a shipment's declared value (the value the shipper declares on the goods being shipped), along with the description of the goods, to determine duties and taxes. It is important to ensure that the declared value claimed is accurate. Inaccurate declared value is one of the most prevalent reasons for duty and tax disputes. A shipment's declared value represents the selling price or fair market value of the contents of the shipment, even if not sold. The first step in determining duty and tax information is to identify the product classification number, i.e. Harmonized System or Schedule B number for your product. More importantly, your goods won’t ship without this number on key shipping documents. A Schedule B number is a 10-digit number used in the United States to classify physical goods for export to another country. The Schedule B is based on the international Harmonized System (HS) of 6-digit commodity classification codes. There is a Schedule B number for every physical product, from paperclips to airplanes. The Census Bureau sponsors a free online tool called the Schedule B Search Engine. Each country’s government that list tariff (duty) rates by each product’s harmonized System code. you may visit export.gov to get the latest publication and details. It is best to check with your shipper or fulfillment service provider to assist you with this research.
• Can we ship any product?:  Generally speaking, there is no restriction and most items are permitted to be shipped internationally. The items which can be shipped falls in category of Clothing, DVDs, electronic, magazine, books etc. However, certain items are prohibited such as biological materials, bacteria or virus samples, firearms or their parts, flammable products, hazardous waste material, lottery tickets or other gambling items, money or other forms of money or cash equivalents. We also cannot ship alcohol.
• Products manufactured in US has advantage:  Some countries have very high duties and taxes; some have relatively low duties and taxes. If your product is primarily made in the U.S. of U.S. originating components it may qualify for duty-free entry into countries with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement. US currently have free trade agreements with more than 20 countries including Canada and Mexico. Targeting “Free trade agreement” countries is a good market entry strategy because buyers pay less tariff for goods made in the U.S. compared with similar goods from countries without “Free trade agreement”. Country of manufacture, therefore, must be stated when preparing “bill of lading”. Products manufactured in China or India but shipped from US do not qualify any advantage of “Free trade agreement”.

Computing the Real Capacity of the Storage Media

In computer technology, the kilobyte equals 1024 bytes, which is 2 to the power of 10. The megabyte (1024 KB) is then equal to 1,048,576 bytes, and the gigabyte is 1,073,741,824 bytes. On the other hand, we use media storage capacity in decimal scale, in which 1 gigabyte equals 1,000,000,000 bytes. This confusion is because it is easy to define the capacity in decimal scale rather than binary numbers.

So the correct usage (or useful space) on disc or memory size should be measured like this:

• Kilobytes (KB) | 2^10 | 1,024 bytes
• Megabytes (MB) | 2^20 | 1,048, 576 bytes
• Gigabytes (GB) | 2^30 | 1,073,741,824 bytes

So when you say, 8GB Capacity USB, the actual space is only 7.47 GB. This is how you calculate 8 * 1,000,000,000/1,074,741,824 = 7.47 GB. Likewise, when a Blu-ray disc specifies 4.7 GB, the actual space is 4.37 GB. Calculated as follows: 4.7 * 1,000,000,000/1,074,741,824

USPS Media Mail - A Smart Way to Fulfill Your Books or DVDs

Comparing Media Mail to First Class Mail: While Media Mail takes a little longer than First-Class Mail to arrive at its destination, it is offered at a much lower rate – making it a very attractive option. Based on today's rates (updated 07/10/2016); it costs $2.72 for the 1st lb. and $0.50 for each additional pound. These prices are very low compared to any other parcel shipping from USPS or any other shipping carrier.

USPS Audits to Make Sure Media Mail is Not Misuse: However, because the prices are so low, the Postal Service has instituted strict restrictions on what does and does not qualify as Media Mail. Keep in mind that the U.S. Postal Service has the right to inspect all items that are sent through the Media Mail classification. Anyone who sends a non-approved item through Media Mail runs the risk of being charged with mail fraud!

What qualifies as Media Mail?: Media Mail consists of the following:

• Bound books containing at least 8 pages and NO advertising
• Printed educational material used for testing
• Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals Printed sheet music – either bound or in sheet form
• Manuscripts
• Computer readable media including DVDs, CDs, videotapes
• Medical information to be distributed to doctors, hospitals, medical schools and medical students (can be loose-leaf pages and in binders)

What is NOT considered Media Mail?: 

• Periodicals such as magazines and newspapers
• Photographs, photo albums, and pictures
• Computer readable media including portable hard drives, thumb drives, flash drives, jump drives, and USB drives
• Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial theaters
• Trading cards of any type (i.e.: baseball cards)

Media Mail is a U.S. Domestic Mail Class: It costs the same amount to ship a package anywhere in the USA. It also allows you to ship internationally only to "Armed Force" destinations or US territories. These are special addresses set up for people serving in the U.S. military. These addresses will usually include name, rank, unit or ship information and special "City, State" codes, as follows: City options APO (Army/Air Force Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office) and State options such as AA (Armed Forces Americas), AP (Armed Forces Pacific) or AE (Armed Forces OTHER (Africa, Canada, Europe, Middle East).

Also, you can send Domestic mail (including Media Mail) to and from the U.S. Territories and Possessions listed below:

• American Samoa
• Baker Island
• Canton Island
• Caroline Island
• Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
• Guam
• Howland Island
• Jarvis Island
• Johnston Island
• Kingman Reef
• Koror
• Marshall Islands
• Midway Islands
• Navassa Island
• Palau Island
• Palmyra Island
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands
• Wake Island

To sum things up, Media Mail is a cost-effective mail option to ship educational items commonly used for books and DVDs within the domestic USA or US territories or Armed force locations. If both the origin and destination address are not U.S. Domestic as stated, then this is International mail

Safeguard your Interest before Choosing a Disc Replicator Vendor for your Project

A disc replicator who is helping with your CD Replication or DVD replication project has to adhere to critical steps to ensure that discs are replicated with consistent quality every single time. In order to win business and the pressure to lower cost, many replicators now are choosing to produce inferior disc replication. If you are choosing a good disc replicator, it is best to go with an organization who are experienced and have a track record. A good disc replicator should be able to provide you replicated discs where every disc works in the field, each disc has a consistent print quality and no cracking or breaking of discs in the field. Then, there is a broader issue regarding adult content. As many as 50% of the replicators accept jobs that would be categorized as pornography, and this often leads to horror stories abound of products getting “commingled” at such plants. To ensure the integrity of your job, when choosing a replication company, it is critical to know their acceptance policies in regards to such materials. Our goal is to educate you on the disc replication process so you can make sure that your replicator is serving you well.

• Disc Premastering: Disc premastering ensures the disc content provided meets the proper ISO standards when it is organized on the disc. Replicated discs must conform to the strict “Red Book” manufacturing guidelines to consistent quality and playability. A replicator should test the disc for logical file structure, readability issue and verify the master bit by bit before production. Also, to protect interest of all parties, the replicator has the responsibility to review the content against any copyright violation.
• Glass Mastering: Once the content has been verified, it is time to make a glass master. A glass master is a stamper mold which is covered with a photosensitive layer and engrave disc content with a laser light. To help fight against piracy, the replication plant must engrave its International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) number on every glass disc it produces. Before mass producing, a check disc should be produced and tested to ensure that the replicated discs has the right reflectivity and readability.
• Disc Replication: Disc replication is a physical production process that involves actually pressing the discs during manufacture from a glass master - the injection molding of clear optical-grade polycarbonate substrates (clear discs) from the nickel stamper. The process also involves the metallizing and lacquering of those polycarbonate substrates to produce a perfect copy. Some plants choose to go with recycled polycarbonate to save money which could results in creating brittle discs which could crack in the field. Replicated disc then go through the print process either on silkscreen printing press or offset disc printing press.
• ID Checking of final product: Now, the final quality control. It is not uncommon that disc mixing can happen in replication or printing process due to machine or human error. To ensure that there is no product mix up, a good disc replicator house must have infrastructure to fast disc scanning equipment. These disc scanner sorts out the discs either by image comparison or ID identification which are encoded on the back of the disc during glass mastering process.

In conclusion, a professional replicator should avoid producing adult content, safeguard your interests, and replicate your discs with the highest quality.