1. On a computing device, a method for determining whether a mark is genuine, the method comprising: receiving a captured image of a candidate mark; measuring, using the captured image, a characteristic of the candidate mark at a plurality of locations within the candidate mark, resulting in a set of metrics for the characteristic, wherein the plurality of locations is associated with a plurality of location identifiers; generating, based on the set of metrics, an electronic signature for the candidate mark; deriving a hash identifier for the candidate mark using a subset of the plurality of location identifiers; determining, based on a comparison of the hash identifier of the candidate mark with a hash identifier of a genuine mark, whether the hash identifier of the candidate mark closely matches the hash identifier of the genuine mark; if the hash identifier of the candidate mark is determined to closely match the hash identifier of the genuine mark, then retrieving, from a media storage device, an electronic signature of the genuine mark, wherein the electronic signature of the genuine mark contains data regarding an artifact of the genuine mark; and determining, based on a comparison of the electronic signature of the candidate mark with the retrieved electronic signature of the genuine mark, whether the candidate mark is genuine; if the candidate mark is determined to be genuine, then indicating that the candidate mark is genuine.