A new NFC platform is making it possible for owners of musical instruments to track their history and protect them against theft. All new Giuletti accordions are now shipping with NFC tags that work with the Re-Ad Info platform and developer FinnCode aims to make the service standard for all instruments in the future.

Instrument makers using Re-Ad Info equip their products with an NFC tag and a QR code during manufacturing. The tags connect the musical instrument with an online database that is used to store a certificate of authenticity as well as guarantee details.

An instrument's records can then be updated throughout its life by authorized users, such as the owner or a dealer. Owners can keep an online diary, adding photos or snippets of information as and when they wish, which FinnCode believes could "really increase the resale value of the instruments, especially collectible ones."

"It has always been possible to buy instruments used by famous musicians, but now you can read about musicians' own experiences and know the history of your instrument in a completely new, intimate way," says FinnCode co-founder Jari Salmela.

The platform also enables owners to report their instrument stolen online and FinnCode believes the service should help protect against theft.

"This makes it considerably more difficult to sell the instrument, as its potential buyer can easily see if it's stolen," the company explains. "This also makes it easier to track down stolen instruments, since every time the instrument's NFC tag is read, it can be located and the information can then be sent to the police."

FinnCode next plans to make the service compatible with all accordions and then roll it out to other valuable instruments such as pianos and guitars.

"We wish to become an industry standard, so that every person buying a valuable musical instrument in the future would instantly expect it to be compatible with our service," Salmela says.