HP claims another success against counterfeit printing supplies in Malaysia

Customers are protected from fraudulent products through the seizure of over 2,000 counterfeit products

KUALA LUMPUR — 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. There were no arrests made but a follow-on investigation to identify the entity’s downstream customers, upstream suppliers and any related facilities is underway.

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. 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.

“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.”

The diligence of the HP anti-counterfeiting program in the Asia Pacific region has resulted in law enforcement agencies successfully confiscating more than 25 million units of counterfeit cartridges and components in the last 4 years.(1)

On a global level, HP maintains an aggressive approach to anti-counterfeiting and has conducted more than 4600 investigations in 88 countries over the last 4 years. This activity has resulted in the seizure of more than 36 million units of counterfeit printing cartridges and components worldwide over the same period.(1)

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. To visually verify that the label is valid, customers should tilt the box front to back to see “OK” and “ ” move in opposite directions. When the box is titled right to left, they should see OK” and “ ” move in the same direction.

HP has also introduced security seals with QR codes, allowing for Mobile Authentication with the QR code reader on customers’ mobile device.(2) 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.