In a bid to stop the theft of memory cards from PCs, Danish computer company
Memory Card Technology suggests (WO 97/23122) stamping each one with a serial
number, which is logged when the card is sold legitimately. The patent calls for
at least one digit of this number to be made of metal and act as one of the pins
that connect the card to the PC. Removing the serial number stops the RAM card
working.
If the number is left undamaged, thieves risk prosecution when selling
a component carrying a serial number that is already logged.
