Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY; PSE) VIP Converted Products and Sony Chemicals Corporation of America jointly announce today that they will introduce a new patented covert security system to combat fraud in the global apparel industry. Manufactured by Sony and marketed by Avery Dennison, this new security system incorporates patented technology from Nocopi Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NNUP). Sony Chemical's product development and its alliance with Avery Dennison are in response to the growing need for protection in the brand name and private label apparel markets. Trademark infringement and counterfeit products cost U.S. companies more than $200 billion annually as reported by the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC). Increases in global apparel production and sourcing indicate exponential growth in counterfeit products within the apparel industry. Manufacturers require a means to mark branded products and to identify counterfeits without altering or alerting their supply chain. "Using Avery Dennison's global network of product identification service bureaus, this revolutionary technology integrates covert anti-counterfeit product protection within existing tags and labels for floor ready distribution," said Simon Coulson, Vice President and General Manager of Avery Dennison VIP Converted Products. "Brand owners have product protection without disrupting or informing their supply chain." "We are excited about the opportunity to incorporate Nocopi's covert security system into our proprietary thermal transfer ribbon products as well as working with Avery Dennison to bring this exciting technology to the market," said Joseph Morgan, President of Sony Chemicals Corporation of America. Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY; PSE) develops, manufactures and markets innovative self-adhesive solutions for consumer products and label systems. Based in Pasadena, Calif., the Company had 1998 sales of $3.5 billion and makes a wide range of products for consumer and industrial markets, including Avery-brand office products, Fasson-brand self-adhesive materials, peel-and- stick postage stamps, battery labels, automated retail tag and labeling systems, and specialty tapes and chemicals. Sony Chemicals Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Sony Chemicals Corporation, Japan, a worldwide technology leader that manufacturers magnetic recording material, thermal transfer printing ribbons, adhesives and adhesive tapes, and electronic materials and parts. Sony occupies a manufacturing and distribution facility in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, serving North and South America. It serves global markets through affiliated manufacturing and distribution facilities located throughout the world. Nocopi Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NNUP) was founded in 1984 and is based in West Conshohocken, Pa. The Company is engaged in the business of developing solutions against product counterfeiting, product diversion, document security, and authentication via patented technologies including invisible inks and reactive thread. ots Original Text Service: Nocopi Technologies, Inc. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Rudy Lutterschmidt of Nocopi Technologies, (USA) 610- 834-9600, or Denise Duerksen of Sony Chemicals Corporation of America, (USA) 724-696-7500, or Catherine Cole of Avery Dennison VIP Converted Products, 336-271-3854 Web site: http://www.nocopi.com