IFPI anti-piracy + counterfeit pressings, how do you stay clean?

The IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) tracks counterfeit pressings globally. Reputable record stores audit their used + collector intake to filter out counterfeits, selling a confirmed bootleg is a legal headache and a reputational hit.

The pattern that works:

• Discogs marketplace tags, every release on Discogs has community-driven authenticity notes. Staff checks the matrix / runout etching against the documented original pressing matrix before listing.
• IFPI source identification codes, legitimate pressings carry IFPI codes etched into the runout. Counterfeits rarely match.
• Staff training, in-store buyback staff are trained to spot the common counterfeit patterns (smooth runout, off-centre labels, mis-aligned print on the jacket, weight mismatch). It’s craft knowledge; experienced buyers spot 90% in 5 seconds.
• Photo standard, runout matrix photo close-up on every used PDP. The runout is the fingerprint, visible to the customer who knows what to look for, and accountable evidence if a dispute arises.
• Refund + report flow, if a customer flags a suspected counterfeit, full refund + IFPI report + supplier investigation. Once.

On Magento I capture the runout matrix as a required free-text attribute on every used-item PDP, with a photo-upload requirement in the consignment intake flow. The grading + matrix combo is what separates a professional vinyl retailer from a flea-market stall.