In a recent post, the ICCE has outlined how it is making online shoppers aware about counterfeit products and how its members work against the counterfeiters.
The ICCE said that shoppers should be aware of important red flags to avoid counterfeiting when purchasing imaging consumables online (illustrative picture, showing woman shopping online).
Many shoppers turn to online stores and e commerce marketplaces to buy imaging consumables – perhaps without realising that counterfeiters often use web shops to sell counterfeit products. ICCE explained that its members are committed to fighting online counterfeiting and to protecting shoppers and the businesses of honest sellers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Online shoppers should remain vigilant and be aware of some important red flags to safely purchase imaging consumables on the Internet.
Online counterfeiting rampant
A recent major enforcement action coordinated by Europol shows that counterfeiting is a real threat to online shoppers: Nearly 13,000 websites offering counterfeit goods or involved in online piracy were shut down as part of the 13th edition of Europol’s operation In Our Sites, which took place between May and November 2022. The participating law enforcement agencies from 27 countries also seized nearly 130,000 counterfeit products, among others including clothing, watches, perfumes, or electronics, with an estimated value of around €3.8 million ($4.06 million).
Counterfeiting can also pose a threat to online shoppers looking to buy imaging consumables such as toner cartridges, ink cartridges, and printer ribbons.
That is why ICCE members take action: Many of the leading imaging manufacturers that joined forces in ICCE monitor e commerce shops, work with major online marketplaces, and initiate the removal of illegal listings. This protects unsuspecting shoppers from counterfeit products and honest online retailers from illegal competition.
“ICCE represents some of the world’s leading imaging manufacturers. We take bold action to help protect honest businesses and unsuspecting consumers from counterfeit imaging consumables that are offered for sale online.” Intellectual Property Director at Canon
The post from ICCE further explained that one of its members, HP Inc., has for example initiated the removal of more than 150,000 illegal online offers in 2021 across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. HP worked closely with major online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, GittiGidiyor, and n11.com. Countries with high numbers of delisted offers included Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.
Knowing some important signs of suspicious offers can be a key step in avoiding buying counterfeits online. ICCE’s anti-counterfeiting experts recommend that you look out for the following red flags when buying brand-name printing supplies online:
- Suspiciously low price: If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Other signs to look out for include unreasonable delivery charges, an insistence on questionable payment methods, or other dubious arrangements such as a mix of free and paid?for products.
- Missing or incomplete seller information: Be suspicious if information about the seller is missing. If in doubt, shoppers can check that key details about the seller are available, including contact details, company website, and VAT number if applicable.
- Bulk sales on online auction sites: Buyers should be wary of online auctions offering suspiciously large quantities of imaging consumables, especially on customer-to-customer (C2C) platforms.
- Unsolicited emails: Beware of unsolicited email offers. Sending unsolicited emails (often called spam) can indicate dubious business practices.
- Europe only – sellers from outside of the EEA: Specifically for buyers in the European Economic Area (EEA)2 and in Switzerland, ICCE recommends that they avoid buying so?called grey marketing products coming from outside of this area.
Whether offline or online, ICCE generally recommends buying genuine imaging consumables only from trusted vendors, such as authorised resellers. If you have any doubts about an offer or a purchase, consumers can contact ICCE experts and report their suspicions at icce.net/suspicions.
