http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47832&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=1
IN 4 YEARS HP CONFISCATED 47.2M UNITS OF COUNTERFEIT PRODUCT
Hewlett
Packard Co. (HP), the leading printer and computer maker, has uncovered
a record amount of counterfeit printing supplies since its
anti-counterfeiting program began in 2006, the company said this
week.Surveys and research sponsored by HP demonstrates that almost half
of corporate management with purchasing power for their companies had
bought counterfeit HP ink and toners.Furthermore, counterfeiting
policies were absent from the workplace and not prioritized to be a
concern for management among customers, HP said. However, respondents
from Europe and the Middle East predominantly agreed that the production
and sale of counterfeit goods were detrimental for society (88 percent)
and the use of such products contributed significantly to unemployment
and reduced tax revenues (78 percent).
“What is particularly
disconcerting about the research findings is that some businesses seem
to patronize and sustain the production of counterfeit goods, which even
they recognize as having harmful consequences for society,” said Tina
Rose, HP Anti-counterfeiting Marketing Program Manager for Europe,
Middle East and Africa (EMEA), in a statement. “It is encouraging to
note though, that those who avoid counterfeit products, do so knowing
that the quality of fakes is often deficient and the best experience
comes from original products. We will therefore continue to inform
clients throughout the region about the negative consequences that
counterfeits can entail.”Globally, over the last four years, HP has
conducted 4,723 investigations in 88 countries resulting in 3,733
enforcement actions (raids and seizures by authorities) confiscating
over 47.2 million units of counterfeit products and components.
Investigations and actions have occurred on every continent except
Antarctica.
According to the Business Action to Stop
Counterfeiting and Piracy, the estimated market for counterfeit
merchandise is $750 billion globally. The Imaging Consumables Coalition
of Europe, Middle East and Africa indicates that there’s an 8 percent
counterfeit rate in the market for printing consumables in
EMEA.Traditionally, printer suppliers sell printers at a low margin and
recoup their profits from sales of toners, ink cartridges, and other
accessories.
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