1. A method for providing product information, comprising: generating a digital characterization of a product identifier image with a handheld device, the product identifier image being associated with a product; determining a product identifier of the product with the handheld device based on the digital characterization of the product identifier image; retrieving product information for the product from a product database stored in a computer-readable storage medium using the product identifier; displaying at least part of the product information with the handheld device; and restricting access to the product information until after generating the digital characterization of the product identifier image and determining the product identifier with the handheld device.