Can EDA combat the rise of electronic counterfeiting?

Abstract

The Semiconductor Industry Associates (SIA) estimates that counterfeiting costs the US semiconductor companies $7.5B in lost revenue, and this is indeed a growing global problem. Repackaging the old ICs, selling the failed test parts, as well as gray marketing, are the most dominant counterfeiting practices. Can technology do a better job than lawyers? What are the technical challenges to be addressed? What EDA technologies will work: embedding IP protection measures in the design phase, developing rapid post-silicon certification, or counterfeit detection tools and methods?