HP in conjunction with Dubai Police, seize Dhs70m worth of counterfeit components in the Emirate

The raid uncovered an illegal counterfeit operation in Dubai at a 600m2 warehouse with two floors filled with packaging materials and security labels as well as finished goods. The counterfeit goods were intended for export to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Four people were arrested and Dubai Police have started a criminal investigation.

Ernest Azzam, Business Manager, Laser and Enterprise Solutions at HP Middle East IPG, said:

"HP is tremendously pleased with the outcome of the raid, and realizes that without the solid backing and cooperation of the Dubai Police, such a success may not have been achieved. An estimated $1bn a year is lost in revenues as a result of the illegal manufacturing and sale of counterfeit products. Dubai authorities are however making it possible to combat the evils of counterfeiting in the Middle East, and for this HP is exceptionally grateful."

Over the past year, HP has been involved in key raids that have resulted in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of counterfeit products in the region. In collaboration with law enforcement agencies HP was involved in the successful confiscation of over 800,000 counterfeit printer cartridges and components from illegal operations in the Middle East in the first quarter of 2009 alone.

HP regularly assists local law enforcement authorities in their counterfeit investigations by providing information on how fake cartridges and ink products are produced, as well as, providing tips on what to look for when evaluating the authenticity of genuine products and identifying counterfeits

HP Officials advise businesses and consumers to be suspicious of printer cartridges offered at below usual market prices. While some counterfeiters do sell their fake products at standard pricing, some will offer steep discounts in order to secure a tender from large customers such as banks, government institutions or to encourage quick sales.

HP recommends checking the packaging very closely for tampering as some counterfeit products may be presented in genuine HP packaging, therefore appearing legitimate. All original HP laser print cartridge boxes have an HP security label.

Because it is featured on all HP laser print cartridges for HP LaserJet and HP Color LaserJet printing systems, customers have reason to be suspicious if they see a cartridge box without a security label. The label is positioned over the tear strip of the laser print cartridge box and has the words 'Original Toner' on it. On the other hand most original HP inkjet print cartridge boxes also feature an HP security label on selected HP inkjet boxes in EMEA. If present, the HP security label can either be found in the upper right corner of the hangtab at the top of the box or on the left panel of the box and has the words 'Original Ink' on it.

HP Officials advise consumers to purchase cartridges from authorized HP resellers to ensure they are not counterfeit. HP also highlights the fact that counterfeit products can damage printers, decrease printers' performance, cause reliability issues and that the print quality, produced by these fake goods, will not be up to the standards expected of genuine HP products.

HP is a member of Gulf Brand Owners Protection Group and conducts regular training and awareness activities across the region. The Gulf Brand Owners Protection Group is a group of leading brand owners and legal consultants, which work together to tackle the problem of counterfeit-goods-trade and to help protect the Intellectual Property Rights of legitimate businesses in the region.