HP Fights Fake Products

Following a recent upsurge in activities of illicit vendors, HP has introduced an authentication technology that allows customers to tell within seconds if the ink and toner printer cartridges they have purchased are genuine HP products. Speaking at an anti-counterfeit conference in Accra yesterday to demonstrate HP’s latest mobile authentication solutions, Rita Amuchienwa, HP Supplies Country Manager for English West Africa, expressed concern at the impact of counterfeit products on businesses around the world. “Counterfeiting poses a huge challenge to brands and businesses in Ghana and many other countries around the world. Counterfeiters harm manufacturers and customers by consistently undermining business standards and practices. “Counterfeiting is bad news for everyone, as it dishonestly generates billions of dollars and threatens the reputation of global brands such as ours. It also harms consumers by creating low quality products with unknown chemicals which damage printers and could harm the environment.” Ms Amuchienwa stressed that “the war against counterfeiters is constantly evolving and we remain steadfast in our resolve, which is why we always look for new ways to tackle counterfeiting in our various markets across the world.” She therefore advised customers to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. HP, cooperating with local authorities, has in the last four years conducted more than 1,000 investigations, resulting in over 800 enforcement actions in the EMEA region. Nearly, nine million units of counterfeit products and components have been seized so far. Tolulope lawani, PPS Marketing Manager for HP West Africa, explaining a point at the conference, said that the latest sophisticated security technology on HP printer cartridges reiterated the company’s determination to protect consumers against the deceitful and illegal actions of counterfeiters. “Through the anti-counterfeit programme, HP is working hard to protect partners and customers, and ensure they receive only authentic supplies by making it difficult to produce, distribute and sell counterfeits. “HP has been tackling counterfeiting in three main ways: awareness, product packaging and enforcement. As part of this programme, we have introduced HP mobile authentication technology on new original HP print cartridges.” HP original inkjet and laser-jet print cartridges feature sophisticated holographic properties as well as a new quick response code which customers can easily validate using a web-enabled smartphone or online via www.hp.com/go/ok. With HP authentication software, HP offers customers easy to use support to avoid counterfeit laser-jet print cartridges.