an inventory of goods is protected from theft by means of electronic article surveillance markers integrated with items of the inventory . each such item has a structural member in which a cavity is integrally formed . a respective magnetostrictive element is housed , free of mechanically clamping constraint , in each cavity . a respective biasing element is located adjacent to the cavity on each such item of inventory . the biasing element provides a magnetic field to bias the respective magnetostrictive element . eas equipment is provided at a retail store where the inventory is maintained . the eas equipment generates an alternating electromagnetic interrogation field , and when an item of inventory having the integrated eas marker is exposed to the interrogation field , the biased magnetostrictive element is excited into mechanical resonance that is detected by the eas equipment . alternatively , the integrated eas marker includes a magnetic element that provides a harmonic signal in response to the interrogation field , and a lubricant coating is provided on the magnetic element to prevent transmission of mechanical stress to the magnetic element .