Press / Leaflets

HP products protected from counterfeiting by Colombian police

Judicial and Customs Police take steps to prevent Unauthorised Sale of Fraudulent HP Laserjet and Inkjet Cartridges

Hewlett Packard Company announced that judicial and customs police of Colombia have begun legal action against the counterfeiters of HP Laserjet and Inkjet cartridges.

The judicial and customs police worked closely with the Division of National Taxation and Customs (D.I.A.N.) on an initiative to neutralize contraband and counterfeiting in Colombia. As a result, The Division for the Protection of Intellectual Property was created in January, under the direction of Brigadier General Victor Manuel Páez Guerra.

According to judicial and customs police, its intelligence division led the investigation that produced simultaneous raids on five locations that uncovered numerous false products, including counterfeit HP LaserJet and Inkjet print cartridges, and similar products from other companies. The products were confiscated and placed at the disposition of the attorney general.

HP was aware of an extraordinarily large proportion of counterfeit cartridges in various Latin American countries but had not been able to pinpoint the source of the problem. The diligence demonstrated by General Páez and his personnel is essential to maintaining a secure commercial environment for companies and their customers. At the same time, it ensured that taxes due the Republic of Columbia were collected.

HP appreciates the excellent work of the Colombian authorities, whose rapid action protected many customers against counterfeit and poor-quality products.

Illegal activity occurs when customers are led into believing - either through fraudulent or intentionally misleading methods – that a non HP product is endorsed or represented by HP. This misrepresentation may take several forms, including the unlicensed use of registered HP trademarks by other manufacturers and counterfeiting, which is the repackaging, sale and marketing of products with intent to defraud.

Inferior quality is the first indicator of counterfeit HP printer-related products. If customers experience an usually high proportion of low-quality printing or feel that a counterfeit product was mistakenly purchased, they should immediately inform HP via its U.S. hotline at (208) 333-3988 or the Colombian government hotline at 9800-900-163. According to the Colombian government, it will continuously investigate all reports of counterfeit activities in that country.