Press / Leaflets

OKI Europe vs. Silver Office Systems Ltd.

SUMMER 1998: In line with the new spirit of zero-tolerance of counterfeit products among the newly-formed ICCE members, OKI has recorded the coalition's first victory in the fight against counterfeit in the printer industry.

Silver Office Systems has been successfully sued following an investigation which proved that the company had been selling counterfeit printer ribbons as genuine OKI products.

OKI obtained a Summary Judgement against Silver Office, and its sole Director, with the court imposing a permanent Injunction against Silver Office restraining it from selling the counterfeit ribbons.

In addition, the Court ordered Silver Office and its Director to pay OKI an interim payment (with damages to be assessed) and legal costs. The eventual outcome was that OKI obtained substantial damages by way of settlement.

All, counterfeit product that Silver Office possessed was passed to OKI for destruction.

OKI was alerted to the fact that counterfeit "OKI" ribbons were being distributed through the channel when a number of them were returned to its UK office in Slough marked as defective. They were quickly established as being counterfeit and the ICCE member acted fast to launch an investigation to establish the source.

Peter Marsh, International Sales Manager of Oki Europe Ltd commented:

"Legal action is a highly effective method of preventing the unauthorised use of our trademarks. It also ensures that our resellers and end-users are protected from the dangers of counterfeit products".