The OEM worked with authorities to seize more than 55,000 boxes of counterfeit consumables.
The consumables and parts were destined for use in a wide range of the OEM’s printers, and it added that the counterfeit products were “slated for distribution in the United States, Germany, [the] Netherlands, Turkey, Russia, Brazil and South America”.
Xerox added that the Imaging Supplies Coalition has recently stated that the “estimated impact” of counterfeiting in the imaging supplies industry has come at a cost of over $3 billion (€2.33 billion) globally, and that as a member of the coalition, Xerox “works with [other] Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to combat illegal activities in this industry”.
The OEM noted in turn a series of steps that customers can take to avoid buying counterfeit products, including looking for authentication labels. Xerox products feature a “holographic security label with a unique serial number and barcode”, and if such labels are interfered with or removed, buyers “should take notice and are encouraged to inform Xerox of the purchasing source”.
Another way to avoid counterfeits, Xerox notes, is to “validate their authenticity” by “registering them” with the company’s new loyalty programme called Genuine Xerox Rewards. This “validation” process is one feature of the programme from the OEM, which also lets customers “redeem points for Xerox equipment or retail merchandise when buying authentic Xerox solid ink and toner”.
Irina Maslennikova, Vice President of Global Supplies Business Group for Xerox, stated: “Counterfeit production is not just an OEM issue. It impacts governments, resellers and customers due to lost taxes and investments in poorly made products.
“Purchasers who think they are cutting cost with counterfeit items are instead jeopardizing the safety of their equipment and the quality of printed materials.”