Tracking apparel items using distributed ledgers

1. A method for tracking and managing apparel items comprising: generating, by an apparel system, an inimitable identification tag that includes encrypted tag data that uniquely identifies an apparel item, wherein the identification tag is part of a set of identification tags that can only be read using a scanning system programmed to read the set of identification tags and wherein the set of identification tags are associated a with selected brand name;

configuring, by the apparel system, the scanning system to read the set of identification tags;

printing, by the apparel system, the inimitable identification tag on the apparel item using invisible ink such that the identification tag includes a smart label that is irremovable without damaging the apparel item, wherein the invisible ink on the apparel item renders at least a portion of the identification tag invisible to naked human eye;

generating, by the apparel system, a record of the apparel item in a distributed ledger, wherein the record includes the tag data and wherein the record of the apparel item on the distributed ledger is updated at one or more steps in manufacturing or distribution phases;

generating, by the apparel system, a non-fungible token (NFT) associated with the apparel item on the distributed ledger record;

tracking, by the apparel system during and post a manufacturing phase of the apparel item, a location, a custody and an ownership information associated with the apparel item through the encrypted tag data incorporated in the identification tag printed on the apparel item, wherein the encrypted tag data is configured to be decrypted by only a reader associated with the apparel system;

acquiring, by the scanning system associated with the apparel system, the encrypted tag data from the identification tag;

decrypting, by the scanning system, the encrypted tag data using a predetermined decryption algorithm to obtain decrypted tag data;

transmitting, by the scanning system, the decrypted tag data to the apparel system; and

receiving, by the scanning system from the apparel system, information associated with authenticity of the apparel item based on the decrypted tag data.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more steps in the manufacturing or distribution phases include at least one of a change of custody, a change of location, or a change of ownership.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing, by the apparel system, the decrypted tag data to the record of the apparel item in the distributed ledger, wherein the comparing includes:

authenticating, by the apparel system, the decrypted tag data based at least in part on the NFT associated with the apparel item on the distributed ledger record; and

generating the information associated with authenticity of the apparel item based on the comparing.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

maintaining, by the apparel system, the distributed ledger.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decrypted tag data is validated by one or more nodes associated with the distributed ledger.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tag data includes a count of the apparel item out of a total number of apparel items produced.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

calculating, by the apparel system, a royalty due to a licensor based on the count of the apparel items.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the royalty calculation is based on information in a self-executing contract between the licensor and the apparel system.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record includes information on one or more of a provenance, a location, an ownership, a date of first sale, a first buyer information, or a transaction history associated with the apparel item.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting, by the apparel system, a private key of the non-fungible token to an actual owner of the apparel item.

11. A system for tracking and managing apparel items comprising:

an apparel system comprising a first processor and a first memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to:

generate an inimitable identification tag that includes encrypted tag data that uniquely identifies an apparel item, wherein the identification tag is part of a set of identification tags that can only be read using a scanning system programmed to read the set of identification tags;

configure the scanning system to read the set of identification tags;

print the inimitable identification tag on the apparel item using an invisible ink such that the identification tag includes a smart label that is irremovable without damaging the apparel item, wherein the invisible ink on the apparel item renders at least a portion of the identification tag invisible to naked human eye;

generate a record of the apparel item in a distributed ledger, wherein the record includes the tag data and wherein the record on the distributed ledger is updated at one or more steps in manufacturing or distribution processes;

generate a non-fungible token (NFT) associated with the apparel item on the distributed ledger record; and

the scanning system comprising a second processor and a second memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to:

acquire the encrypted tag data from the identification tag;

decrypt the encrypted tag data using a predetermined decryption algorithm to obtain decrypted tag data;

transmit the decrypted tag data to the first processor of the apparel system; and

receive, from the apparel system, information associated with authenticity of

the apparel item based on the decrypted tag data and the record of the apparel item in the distributed ledger; and

track, during and post manufacturing phase of the apparel item, a location, a custody, and an ownership information associated with the apparel item through the encrypted tag data incorporated in the identification tag printed on the apparel item.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more steps in the manufacturing or distribution phases include at least one of a change of custody, a change of location, or a change of ownership.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the apparel system is further configured to maintain the distributed ledger.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the first processor, further causes the first processor to:

compare the decrypted tag data to the record of the apparel item in the distributed ledger, wherein the comparing the first processor to:

authenticate the decrypted tag data based at least in part on the NFT associated with the apparel item on the distributed ledger record; and

generate the information associated with authenticity of the apparel item based on the comparing.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tag data includes a count of the apparel item out of a total number of apparel items produced.

16. The system of claim 6 further comprising: calculating, by the apparel system, a royalty due to a licensor based on the count of the apparel items.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the royalty calculation is based on information in a self-executing contract between the licensor and the apparel system.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the record includes information on one or more of a provenance, a location, an ownership, a date of first sale, a first buyer information, or a transaction history associated with the apparel item.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to:

transmit a private key of the non-fungible token to an actual owner of the apparel item.