Who Invented the Barcoding System?

George Laurer invented the UPC barcode while working with IBM. Since, then he has shown support for reseller barcodes, Hed recommends the people we buy barcodes from as a good quality supplier. George Laurer wanted to ensure his barcode system worked well and his website listed rogue barcode sellers. George passed in 2019. What a contribution he made to our daily lives.

https://web.archive.org/web/20190209125910/https://www.laurerupc.com/

George Laurer wrote

I started this web site (https://www.laurerupc.com/) decades ago to explain UPC numbers and to help new companies understand and use them. Subsequently I learned that one or two companies were reselling UPC numbers with their prefix because the class action law suit brought by Lukins & Annis, P.S. in 2003 was settled gave them the right to sell their unused numbers if their prefix was purchased prior to August 28, 2002. I published details of these companies because GS1US was charging high fees to purchase a prefix and was requiring annual renewal fee. I did not want my invention to hurt anyone, especially the fledgling entrepreneurs with little capital.

The number of resellers grew to the point where I could no longer handle listing and verifying the legitimacy for the venders by myself. This led to the formation of the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory. The primary motive and goal remained to serve fledgling entrepreneurs with a reliable source of affordable UPC numbers not to make a profit. I did not want my invention to hurt anyone. This endeavor led to the creation of my Black List which was intended to alert potential buyers to companies that may be selling numbers that the company did not own the rights to or were not issued by UCC prior to the critical date. Like the old adage warns, “no good deed goes unpunished”, I was attacked and threatened with numerous law suits. Web sites were created that defamed me as avaricious and money-grabbing. I don’t need the stress this puts on me; therefore I have removed my Black List and all references to the UPC from this site. Also I have resigned my position as president of the Authenticated UPC Registration Directory.

I do thank all of you that have supported me and my efforts to do good things for the small businessman.