DataDots^TM are about the size of a grain of sand, with lines of text applied using a sophisticated laser process. This text can be the unique VIN number (vehicle identification number) for motor vehicles and the HIN (Hull Identification Number) for watercraft, or a unique PIN (Personal Identification Number), linked to the VIN or HIN by a national database, accessible by law enforcement. The PIN marker is also used for business assets and personal or home assets.

DataDots^TMare produced on a polyester base, chemically processed to control aging or fading. They are applied using an adhesive specially developed for DataDots^TM This adhesive has an Ultra-Violet trace added that fluoresces under any UV black-light.

For whole-of-vehicle marking, up to 10,000 DataDots^TM are sprayed on the chassis and parts of a motor vehicle. The DataDots^TM are applied to the floor-pan, drive-train, exhaust, suspension, springs, and sometimes inside the vehicle, dashboard, air-conditioning ducts, seats, boot lids, door trims. For marking of specific component parts, or other non-auto assets, smaller numbers of DataDots are applied by brush or spray.

Microdots (the precursor to DataDots^TM) have been around since 1948 when they were used by the Military in espionage activities, for passing on sensitive information, as a period on documents.

Each asset can have a warning sticker applied, and as it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove all of the DataDots^TM from an object. Professional thieves are deterred as there are much easier targets. By using a UV lamp police and registration authorities are able to quickly determine whether a car has DataDots^TM they then 'read' the DataDots^TM using a simple magnifying reader. The same process of checking applies to key components and parts of disassembled vehicles.

Where the full VIN is incorporated on the DataDots^TM, a simple check can be made against the National vehicle registrations database. Where a PIN is used, regulators give law enforcement agencies the ability to conduct extensive searches of stored DataDots^TM information on the largest national law enforcement databases and then cross reference their findings with that of NICB's comprehensive databases of automobile VIN and manufacturer shipping and assembly records.

In the case of other (non auto) assets, Police can check the imbedded PIN against the National DataDot database.

DataDot Technology Ltd is an Australian company based in Sydney, with offices in the USA, UK, Russia, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong & New Zealand. DataDot USA Inc. has its head office in Seattle, Washington.