Is the market too small for perfumes compared to sneakers?
It is time to recognize perfumers as the artists they truly are, creators whose rights deserve protection. While sneakers attract widespread admiration, perfumes hold similar potential for artistry and emotional impact. Collectors and enthusiasts pay hundreds of dollars for both rare sneakers and exclusive scents, yet the rights and recognition for perfumers often remain limited to a signature scent.
The perfume community deserves a stronger voice and clearer protections for its creative work. Perfumery is more than a quick spritz; it is an art form, just as deserving of appreciation and protection as the craftsmanship behind iconic sneakers.
AI in Sneakers: A New Standard, But What About Perfumes?
The sneaker market is thriving, with counterfeit products increasingly becoming a concern. AI technology is stepping in to help, and companies like Osmo AI are using advanced tools to analyse sneaker scents, achieving a 95% accuracy rate in identifying fakes. Meanwhile, perfumers continue to create unique, complex fragrances that evoke powerful emotions, but still lack strong legal protections. While sneakerheads have tools to authenticate their purchases, the perfume industry has yet to enjoy similar levels of attention.
The Challenge of Protecting Perfumes Under Current IP Law
When it comes to intellectual property, perfumes face significant challenges. Copyright law, for example, doesn’t easily accommodate them. How can you protect something as intangible, subjective, and fleeting as a scent? Unlike a painting or a song, perfume cannot be documented in a straightforward way. Scent is personal and ever-changing, which makes it difficult for intellectual property laws which are often designed for tangible and fixed works to apply.
But, there is hope. AI and scent mapping technologies are advancing, and tools like the Principal Odor Map (POM) may offer a way to digitally map fragrances, creating a foundation for potential protection. However, we are in the “wait and see” phase, and it is unclear how close we are to establishing legal protections similar to those available for more tangible works of art.
Could AI Be the Solution for Perfume Protection?
AI technology could provide the breakthrough needed for protecting perfumes. As discussed in earlier articles, digital scent mapping could create unique fragrance profiles that might eventually be protected under intellectual property laws. But many questions remain.
AI might help us identify and distinguish scents, but can it map a scent accurately enough to meet the legal requirements for protection? Will we ever reach a point where we can say, “This is my scent, and it is legally mine?” For now, we remain in the early stages, but the potential is there.
A Scent of Change, But Will It Last?
The future of perfume protection is uncertain, yet promising. AI technology is advancing, and there is potential for perfumes to be recognised as legitimate works of art. However, it is not just about technology; it is also about the perfume community advocating for the recognition and rights it deserves. Perfumers should be granted the same respect as artists in other fields, whether they create music, visual art, or even sneakers.
If AI can be used to authenticate sneakers, it’s only fair that similar tools be developed to validate the value of a perfumer’s work. If we can recognise the artistic merit of a limited-edition sneaker, we can surely do the same for a signature fragrance. It is time to treat perfume as the art it truly is, ensuring it receives the attention and protection it deserves.
Sources:
https://hypebeast.com/2024/11/ai-artificial-intelligence-osmo-fake-counterfeit-sneakers