Printer maker alarmed at forged inkjet cartridges

By RICHARD WOOD

Printer manufacturer Lexmark and its New Zealand distributor Ingram Micro are warning dealers about counterfeit inkjet printer cartridges that may be either on their way or already here.

Although Ingram has no evidence of counterfeits arriving in this country, Lexmark claims that at least three shipments have been detected in Australia. However, the company cannot prove this and refuses to identify the importers for "legal reasons".

It also has no idea how many such cartridges - presented as manufactured by Lexmark and carrying Lexmark branding - are on the market.

Stephen Waugh, Lexmark general manager for consumer printers in Australia and New Zealand, says poor print quality on cartridge boxes raised suspicions. He says that in two cases wholesalers and end-users took their suspicions to Lexmark which were confirmed when samples were sent back to Lexmark in the United States.

He says there are two types of fake cartridge. One is remanufactured, often using spent Lexmark cartridges with serial numbers changed. The other is a copy built from scratch and carrying Lexmark branding.

He says parallel importing has led to importers scouring the world looking to save on margins, which is not easy to achieve as Lexmark charges the same in US dollars in all countries. But if importers bring in a high enough volume they can save a substantial amount.

Ingram has warned it cannot rule out that counterfeit cartridges may already be in New Zealand.

"The Australians trading in these counterfeit goods may be actively trying to unload them into the New Zealand market thinking that the sales of counterfeit Lexmark product won't be pursued as vigorously in New Zealand as in Australia," managing director John Dunbar told dealers.

Changes to the copyright law due before this year's election will put the onus on the importer to prove that its products are legitimate. At the moment the franchisee owner must prove that a product is counterfeit.

Ingram asks resellers to get cartridges through authorised distribution channels and advises end users to steer clear of counterfeits:

"These counterfeit cartridges have been known to damage printers as well as cause very poor print quality. The worst thing is that anyone using these poorly made counterfeit cartridges may not only damage their printer but also potentially void the warranty on it as well."