Bangalore: The "branded" computer part, accessories or peripherals you buy, including cords and cables, may turn out to be fakes. There is often very little to distinguish them from the real thing with holograms likely to be fake as also the "factory checked" stickers and labels.

Industry sources say there are subtle differences in the packaging itself which buyers may be able to notice if they look carefully. The labels are likely to be printed on inferior material and there may be misspellings, sometimes to make out a case later that they did not use the patented trademark but only something similar.

Raids

Between December and March, the city police conducted close to 20 raids on dealers suspected of stocking fake computer products and sometimes on their warehouses. Helping the police were investigators from Enforcers of Intellectual Property Rights, a Mumbai-based agency with offices here, specialising in anti counterfeiting measures. They are often tipped off about fakes in the market by the sales personnel of IT firms, who after posing as potential buyers, zero in on the main dealers.

Computer cables, such as those used to connect the personal computer and printer cartridges are among those most sold in the markets around the central parts of the city and in the lanes close to the Krishnarajendra Market. During recent raids by police, some of the fake products seized had names of top brands such as HP and D-Link, considered market leaders.

Origin

The police often find it difficult to trace the origin of such products since the shops get them from agents who may not be directly involved in the manufacture. Interestingly, even some shops in areas like Commercial Street and Indiranagar are said to have fake computer products. These are usually offered to customers who haggle as a cheaper alternative "which works just as well and costs you 50 per cent less."

While recycled printer cartridges have always been in the market, the police and private investigating agencies now fear more expensive products may be duplicated. "There is nothing to prevent recycled keyboards and scrapped monitors made to look new coming into the market," the investigators say.

The real manufacturers are aghast because fake products, which do not last long or breakdown frequently, may raise serious doubts among consumers who think they have purchased the original. "Consumers should be aware if they are offered a product at a much lower price than quoted by authorised dealers. In case of doubt, they can at least phone the company's dealers and verify," the IT companies say.

Loss

Manufacturers of branded products fear they may be losing 15 to 20 per cent of legitimate revenue to those making and selling fake products. Every year this "grey market" may be transacting business worth hundreds of crores and the government also loses out on taxes.

The police say cases can be booked even against the dealers of fake products under the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and newer laws dealing with Intellectual Property Rights. They say finding the source of the products is most important.

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