13,000 COUNTERFEIT LEXMARK TONER MARKETED

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Date: Tuesday March 22, 2005 09:34:00 am
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    Lexmark Supports Pursuit of Supplies and Packaging
    Counterfeiters
      

    Lexmark International, Inc. is continuing its
    campaign against counterfeit consumable supplies and packaging by supporting the
    efforts of law enforcement officers in pursuit of those suspected of marketing
    counterfeit Lexmark toner cartridges.

    Undercover raids in three states resulted in the recent arrest of one
    individual and led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for another. Based on
    records seized in this multi-state investigation, more than 13,000 counterfeit
    Lexmark toner cartridge boxes were fraudulently marketed.

    Working with Lexmark and Stumar Investigations, the Allegheny County Police
    Department in Pennsylvania, the Clifton, New Jersey, Police Department, the
    Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Postal Inspection
    Service issued multiple search warrants in an effort to stop the sale of these
    counterfeit toner cartridges.

    As a result of these efforts, the United States Attorney’s Office for the
    Middle District of Florida (based in Jacksonville) presented investigative
    findings to a federal grand jury that issued indictments against two suspects
    for conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods or services. Trafficking in
    counterfeit goods carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Officers also seized
    business records and the artwork and printing plates used to make counterfeit
    cartons.

    This multi-state investigation continues efforts by Lexmark over the past
    several years to preserve the quality of the printing experience involving
    genuine, Lexmark-branded equipment.

    Worldwide distribution operations of counterfeit consumable supplies, such as
    toner and inkjet cartridges, are estimated at more than $1 billion annually.
    Customers using counterfeit supplies products risk poorer equipment performance,
    low supply yields, inferior print quality, toner leakage, high cartridge failure
    rates and increased equipment downtime–all of which cost the customer time and
    money.

    “Lexmark is dedicated to ensuring customer value through ongoing efforts to
    identify, investigate and prosecute counterfeit operations,” said Paul Rooke,
    Lexmark vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services
    Division. “Lexmark has zero tolerance for counterfeiting because we want to
    ensure that when a customer purchases Lexmark they know they are getting a
    genuine Lexmark product.”

    Helping identify counterfeits

    Lexmark is a founding member of the Imaging Supplies Coalition (ISC), which
    has launched a consumer-education initiative called “When in doubt, check it
    out.” To protect customers from being victimized, this program allows those who
    question product quality or authenticity to submit products anonymously to the
    ISC to determine if the supplies are counterfeit. Since the inception of the
    program, the ISC says counterfeit awareness has increased significantly among
    distribution channels. Both distributors and consumers check the ISC Web site
    (http://www.isc-inc.org/) for further information on supplies fraud.

    “Lexmark continues to display leadership and commitment in the fight against
    counterfeit supplies and packaging,” said Bill Duffy, ISC’s president and CEO.
    “This latest series of raids shows Lexmark’s determination to protect customers’
    interests by defending its brand and intellectual properties.”

    Lexmark International, Inc., since its inception in 1991, has become a
    leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of printing and imaging solutions
    for customers in more than 150 countries. Lexmark reported approximately $5.3
    billion in revenue in 2004,

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