HP tackles counterfeiting with security seal, hotlines.

As a worldwide leader in the printing and imaging supplies business, Hewlett-Packard (HP) is taking steps to combat counterfeiting of inkjet and Laser Jet print cartridges in Latin America.

"We want our many loyal Latin American customers to be able to identify original HP products," says a company spokesperson. "Our anti-counterfeiting program is designed to assure our channel partners and consumers that they are purchasing high-quality, original HP products."

For consumers, the first step in ensuring authenticity is looking for a security seal that is affixed to every HP ink and toner cartridge box sold in Latin America. There are two protective features of the seal, which identifies an original HP product:

* The HP logo on the seal is surrounded by color shifting ink, which changes from green to blue as the angle of view changes.

* The seal contains a thermo-cratic strip that fades to reveal "HP invent" when heated to 34 degrees Celsius. Friction from one's thumb when rubbing the strip is generally enough heat to cause ink to fade, revealing the phrase.

"Take a close look at the packaging to be sure that it carries the seal and has both the color-shifting ink and the thermo-cratic strip," says the HP spokesperson. "Otherwise, it is not an authentic HP product."

When retailers, businesses or consumers find a suspected counterfeit product, they can call HP from anywhere in Latin America on a toll-free hotline, either giving their name or reporting the information anonymously. (See phone numbers in box).

The hotline alerts the company's anti-fraud team to suspected cases of illegitimate products, including counterfeits. A network of anti-fraud consultants around the world follow up leads in these matters, gathering additional evidence to build a case against unauthorized dealers.

Then, HP decides on the best legal action to take in that particular situation, from civil enforcement steps to criminal cases that can result in criminal prosecutions, jail terms and substantial fines for counterfeiters. In the past year, law enforcement agencies have seized more than US$18 million in counterfeit HP products in Latin America.

"There is a misconception that the intellectual property laws are inadequate, but that's not the case," says the HP spokesperson. "The laws in Brazil and the Andean countries, in particular, are very strong in support of these rights. That's a real plus for consumers and businesses, as the laws are in place to protect their right to buy original consumables."

HP recommends the use of genuine HP print cartridges because they are finely tuned to operate effectively with its first-rate printing systems. The use of original HP print cartridges also helps to keep printer downtime and repair costs to a minimum. Furthermore, only with genuine HP supplies can customers count on technical backup under an HP warranty if the necessity should arise. For more information about HP, visit www.hp.com.