Printer vendor, Fuji Xerox, recently accomplished a successful raid seizing $US200,000 worth of counterfeit toner products in China and Thailand.
The anti-counterfeit operation on two factories resulted from examinations by legal and investigative teams appointed by Fuji Xerox. The undertaking involved the co-operation of international customs officials and law enforcement officers. In both raids, the toner products were illegally branded with Fuji Xerox and Xerox trademarks. The seized goods appeared identical to the genuine cartridges.
According to Fuji Xerox Printers A/NZ general manager, David Borg, over the last month, the company has been involved in five major raids across China and Thailand, seizing over $US1 million in counterfeit merchandise.
The bogus business in China was identified when investigators detected a local factory manufacturing fake Fuji Xerox cartridges. Over 60 workers were employed in the plant, which sold to domestic and international markets.
In Thailand, the operation surfaced after vast investigations were conducted by Fuji Xerox’s team. A squadron of 18 raided the factory, discovering counterfeit products throughout the site.
The companies involved in exporting the counterfeit goods out of China and Thailand will potentially face charges of heavy monetary fines and possible criminal prosecution.
Borg said the counterfeiting of toner cartridges affects the entire printing industry and the company is dedicated to curbing it.
“The ultimate victim of this crime is the unsuspecting customer who is paying for a genuine Fuji Xerox product but receiving a poor quality alternative,” he said.
Borg said it's a constant battle to eliminate such operations and the company is investing large amounts of money in protecting its intellectual property.
“The latest raid actions have successfully tackled major manufacturers of fake toner cartridges in the APAC region and have prevented a large volume of counterfeit products from entering local markets, impacting our channel partners and customers,” he added.
Counterfeit toner cartridges are becoming increasingly difficult to be visually differentiated from the originals.
However, they can be identified by their reduced equipment performance, low supply yields, poor print standards and toner leakage, which potentially damages the printers they are used in. The use of non-genuine supplies can also void the printer’s warranty.
more here http://www.arnnet.com.au/artic...rth_counterfeit_tone r_products/?fp=4&fpid=399285820
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