HP claims success against counterfeit printing supplies in Malaysia

HP announced the seizure of over 11,520 counterfeit supplies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This seizure was conducted by HP’s Southeast Asia ACF team and the local enforcement division of the Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism in Kuala Lumpur on 16 October 2012. The authorities seized more than 719 counterfeit ink cartridges, 3,132 counterfeit toner cartridges and 7,669 various components used to make counterfeit HP cartridges. 

The entity, who was also a HP managed partner, was selling into the Malaysian market. The company has been terminated as a partner effective 1 November 2012 as a result of this successful seizure. The total seizure value is estimated at RM 913,234 (USD 299,421). Investigators are working to identify additional upstream suppliers and downstream customers. 

HP collaborated with local law enforcement to make this action possible. HP vigorously defends its brand and intellectual property for Original HP supplies by engaging in industry-leading anti-counterfeiting practices to combat the fraudulent manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit HP supplies products. 

“Our commitment to our customers is the driving force behind the vigilance of our anti-counterfeit team, as we understand how the sale of counterfeit HP products negatively impacts our customers and the HP brand. With counterfeit HP print cartridges, customers purchase what they often assume to be a genuine HP product, but they instead receive a cartridge that provides them with inferior print quality and often times a cartridge that fails to perform at all. Through our anti-counterfeiting efforts, HP is determined to protect our customers and our brand,” said Jeff Kwasny, Global Brand Protection and Anti-Counterfeit Manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP.

A counterfeit product is a product which has been made to look identical to or substantially indistinguishable from the genuine or original product, usually for the purpose of deceiving customers. Counterfeiting of printing supplies usually involves the illegal printing of HP-branded boxes, labels and security seals. Often refilled cartridges containing inferior inks and toners are used and inserted into this packaging that closely resembles genuine HP packaging. The counterfeit cartridges are ultimately purchased by customers who believe them to be genuine. 

The diligence of the HP anti-counterfeiting program in the Asia Pacific region has resulted in law enforcement agencies successfully confiscating more than 20 million units of counterfeit cartridges and components in the last 4 years. 

On a global level, HP maintains an aggressive approach to anti-counterfeiting and has conducted nearly 5000 investigations in 88 countries over the last 4 years. This activity has resulted in the seizure of nearly 35 million units of counterfeit printing cartridges and components worldwide over the same period. 

Helping customers identify counterfeit printing supplies 

As part of its global anti-counterfeiting program, HP takes a proactive approach to alerting and educating customers on how to identify counterfeit printing supplies. HP also incorporates state-of-the-art technology in their products and cartridge packaging to help customers identify fraudulent supplies. 

All HP cartridge packaging in the Asia Pacific region displays a security seal with color shifting technology that helps customers easily identify Original HP supplies. From last year, HP also introduced security seals with QR codes, allowing for Mobile Authentication with the QR code reader on customers’ mobile device or the HP eSupplies mobile app.(2,3) Customers can learn more about how to use this security seal as well as other best practices to avoid purchasing counterfeit cartridges at www.hp.com/apac/nofakes

HP Disrupts Yet Another Counterfeit Ink Operations in Malaysia

8 May 2013  /  10:52am  /  By John Law

HP worked with local authorities to disrupt the flow of counterfeit printing supplies once again

HP announced the seizure of over 2,000 counterfeit supplies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This seizure was conducted by Malaysian Law Enforcement in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The authorities seized 80 counterfeit ink cartridges and more than 2,000 counterfeit toner cartridges worth more than RM540,000. The entity found with the fake products was involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit HP materials to commercial businesses in Kuala Lumpur. While no arrests were made, a follow-on investigation to identify the entity's downstream customers, upstream suppliers and any related facilities is underway.

“HP appreciates the commitment and support of the Malaysian authorities in protecting consumers and businesses against the illegal actions of counterfeiters, who deceive customers into thinking they are buying genuine goods. Counterfeit print cartridges run several risks, ranging from substandard print quality to printer downtime due to damage by inferior counterfeit supplies,” said Jimmy Kwok, Anti-Counterfeit Manager, Printing and Personal Systems, HP Asia Pacific and Japan. “We will continue to work closely with the local authorities to combat the fraudulent manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit HP supplies products and protect our customers.”

A counterfeit product is a product which has been made to look identical to or substantially indistinguishable from the genuine or original product, usually for the purpose of deceiving customers. The counterfeiting of printing supplies usually involves the illegal printing of HP-branded boxes, labels and security seals. The counterfeit cartridges are ultimately purchased by customers who believe them to be genuine.

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The Star/Asia News Network

PETALING JAYA - Although there have been cases of people being misled into buying fake gold, counterfeits are not a huge problem in the country due to stringent checks by the governing body and savvy customers.

Housewife K. Sumathi, 57, can tell the difference between costume jewellery and actual gold after decades of buying gold for herself and her relatives.

"You can tell from the colour and the weight.

"You can also tell how much real gold should weigh by looking at the design and workmanship," she said.

Last month, a local bank lost RM75mil (S$30 mil) after it purchased fake gold through its Islamic pawn-broking (Ar-Rahnu) service.

MCA's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, meanwhile, said his department had not received any complaints of people being swindled into buying fake gold in the past few years.

"Previously, there was a scam by fraudsters pretending to sell gold brought in by the Vietnamese boat people who were escaping their country during the war.

"They would tell unsuspecting locals that the Vietnamese needed to dispose of the gold that they had managed to bring out of the country and would sell people cheap metals with a coating of gold only on the outside," he said.

The Federation of Goldsmiths and Jewellers Associations of Malaysia said there were stringent checks on their 1,600 members to ensure that their goods were genuine.

Federation president Ng Yih Pyng said they would not tolerate dishonest actions by members.

He also warned consumers to be wary when buying gold from pawn shops or unfamiliar sources.

"Make sure that they have the original invoice for the gold item," he said, adding that it was one way of ensuring that the item was genuine.

Ng, who is also managing director of a large jeweller group, advised the public to purchase gold from reputable jewellers and goldsmiths who were part of the federation.

"If you are unsure as to the authenticity of the items you have purchased, bring it to an assayer accredited by Sirim," he said.

How do I avoid counterfeit products? 

The best way to avoid purchasing counterfeit products is to deal only with reputable retailers that are officially authorized by the brand owner. Also keep in mind that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Does counterfeiting cause any damage? 

Yes. Although some believe counterfeiting is a victimless crime, it has many far-reaching consequences. To begin with, depending upon the nature of the product being counterfeited, there can be serious health and safety concerns for consumers, such as in the examples of counterfeit baby formula, toys for children, medications, car parts, or electronic goods. In nearly every instance, counterfeited goods are not made with the same quality materials or to the same high standards as the original.

In addition, counterfeiting damages brand owners’ reputations and lowers consumer confidence in the affected brands. Counterfeiting also damages brand owners and retailers selling legitimate products by causing missed sales opportunities and actual job losses by manufacturers and retailers. Consumer confidence and the value of branding may suffer when purchasers discover that the product they bought, believing that it was being sold under a recognized brand, is in fact not authentic. Damages do not stop with brand owners and consumers because counterfeiting also deprives national economies of customs duties and tax revenues.

Counterfeiting may also be linked to organized crime or criminal activity, which may pose serious threats to the health and safety of consumers, economies and national security.

What types of products are counterfeited? 

Anything that can be made can be counterfeited. Counterfeit goods include not only clothing, jewelry, purses, CDs, and DVDs, but also baby formula, medications, cigarettes, electronic equipment and parts, airplane and automobile parts, and toys. 

Where are counterfeits sold? 

Counterfeits can be found in street vendor stalls as well as legitimate-looking stores. In recent years, many stores selling counterfeits have become increasingly well organized and established so as to imitate a store selling legitimate products. Furthermore, counterfeits are now increasingly sold online creating more opportunities to dupe consumers into thinking they are buying genuine goods at discounted prices. While some websites openly market fake goods, others pass off their goods as genuine by displaying pictures of the genuine item. It is only after the consumer has received their purchase that they realize they have been tricked into buying a counterfeit. 

Is counterfeiting illegal? 

Yes. Counterfeiting is illegal. In most countries, counterfeiting is punishable by criminal laws as well as civil laws, with penalties ranging from injunctions to damages to imprisonment. Put simply, counterfeiting is theft. 

1. What is counterfeiting? 

Counterfeiting is the practice of manufacturing goods, often of inferior quality, and selling them under a brand name without the brand owner’s authorization. 

Generally, counterfeit goods are sold under a trademark that is identical to or substantially indistinguishable from the brand owner's trademark for the same goods, without the approval or oversight of the trademark owner. 

Many well-known brands, spanning various industries, are victims of counterfeiting. Counterfeiting can be distinguished from traditional trademark infringement or passing off, which involves the use of confusingly similar trademarks or service marks on or in association with similar—as opposed to fake—products or services. 

The manufacturing of counterfeits is most prevalent in developing countries with a strong, inexpensive manufacturing capability, including many nations throughout Asia (such as China and Taiwan), although counterfeit goods are sold around the globe. Counterfeits are manufactured to a lesser degree in developed countries.