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11 ways to help you avoid counterfeits
Learn some ways to help avoid purchasing counterfeits along with signs to look for if you suspect you may have already purchased a counterfeit.
Purchase genuine Canon power accessories and ink and toner consumables from Canon Authorized Dealers* or from the Canon Online Store.
*Not all products may be available at every Canon Authorized Dealer - please call ahead.
Be careful when buying through foreign sites, online marketplaces and/or through social media.
Counterfeiters often misrepresent themselves, their home location and their products. Read seller profiles and offer details carefully when shopping at online marketplaces to try to learn who is the actual seller and where the seller is located. Carefully review sales solicitations through social media. You may not be able to view details about products clearly or know who you are buying from based on an online post.
If you see a power accessory or consumable that has a price that's too good to be true, often that's a sign it might be a fake.
Before you grab a deal, keep in mind what a counterfeit battery or flash could do to your camera, your property or you. Be wary of buying super cheap ink or toner that could be counterfeit, give you subpar print results, or potentially even leak and damage your printer. It's also important for you to know that Canon is not responsible or liable for malfunctions, damages or injuries caused by using non-Canon products, including counterfeit products.
Sometimes, you can "judge a book by its cover."
Genuine power accessories and ink and toner consumables are packaged in high quality blister packs or cardboard boxes. Canon's genuine retail packaging bears the Canon brand and our anti-counterfeiting hologram. Be aware that fake packaging may contain fake holograms. Canon does not currently sell its power accessories or consumables loose or in clear plastic or bubble wrap. If you are offered an accessory or consumable in this kind of packaging, it may be a counterfeit product.
Many counterfeiters will offer free shipping, discounts and/or other benefits if you are willing to buy loose, unpackaged power accessories or consumables. These sorts of offers may be a red flag that the accessory or consumable might be counterfeit.
Check to make sure your battery fits easily into your device.
If you find that you have a hard time putting your battery into, or taking it out of your camera, camcorder or charger, it may be fake.
Check for overheating.
Unlike genuine Canon products, counterfeit batteries, chargers, and external flashes may not follow industry safety standards and may overheat, melt, smoke, ignite, and/or explode, when in use.
Make sure your battery holds a charge.
When you buy a replacement battery, the battery's life should be the same as the original battery that came with your camera or camcorder. If it's not, you may have a counterfeit.
Compare logos for consistency.
When you buy a replacement battery, charger, or external flash, compare the logo on it with the logo on your original product. It may seem like a small detail, but manufacturers apply their logos with great care. Compared to the original, a fake logo may look sloppy, blurry or misplaced.
Check for print quality and performance.
Counterfeit ink and toner consumables may have a lower print yield and cause inferior printer performance. If you see streaking, faded ink quality or leakage when you are using a new toner or ink cartridge that is inconsistent with what you have come to expect as typical Canon print quality, you may be using a counterfeit consumable.
When in doubt, let Canon check it out.
For U.S. consumers who have purchased their products in the United States, if you're still not sure, don't hesitate to contact us with questions or inquiries. You can report any questionable sources or purchases to 1-855-46-CANON. If you believe you have purchased counterfeit products that bear the Canon brand and you have questions, or would like your product evaluated and you’re outside of the U.S., please consult your local Canon sales company.
Counterfeit versus Gray Market Goods– What's the Difference?
Many consumers may be confused about the difference between counterfeit goods and gray market goods. Counterfeit goods violate U.S. trademark and copyright laws and violate the intellectual property rights of a brand owner. Counterfeits may be assembled in uncontrolled environments with inferior parts and workmanship. They may lack safety devices, and if that's the case, then certain third party safety certification marks they bear are also not accurate. Counterfeit goods are not developed using innovative technology. Counterfeiters may avoid paying customs duties and sales taxes, thereby diluting the U.S. economy through their actions. Counterfeiters intend to mislead the public as to the source of their products and knowingly pass off their goods as genuine, relying upon the public's trust, confidence and loyalty in the integrity and reputation of the true rights owner, as built up over time.
In contrast, gray market goods are a manufacturer's genuine products, but not intended by the rights holder to be sold in the U.S. Gray market goods are materially different than products manufactured to be sold in the U.S. For example, gray market products do not come with a U.S. warranty. Gray market electrical products may also not have the same components (e.g., a battery charger intended for U.S. sales has a fold out plug, versus a power cord for other regions). Sellers, for instance, often include an unauthorized plug or power cord that was not originally in the box so that the product may be charged in electrical outlets in the U.S., which are configured differently than outlets in foreign countries where the product was intended to be sold. Gray market goods may be sourced through many different avenues -- liquidation sales, separated from originally packaged kits, acquired as e-waste (meaning used), and/or even refurbished by unknown and unauthorized third parties. As such, Canon cannot account for the conditions in which those gray market goods were handled, stored and shipped to customers, or their subsequent safety and/or performance once in the hands of a consumer.
For full information, please see Canon USA's notice to our customers about gray market goods.
The authors and publishers of this content are not engaged in the rendering of professional advice or services including, without limitation, legal or regulatory advice or services. Individuals and organizations should perform their own research and conduct their own due diligence concerning the products and suggestions discussed herein. Canon USA does not make any warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the opinions, data and other information contained in this content and, as such, assumes no liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies therein, or for an individual's or organization's reliance on such opinions, data or other information.
Additionally, make Sure to Get Official Canon Product Support!
When you need help with your Canon product, be sure to connect with official Canon support. There are many unauthorized third-party support sites available today, including some scam sites using the Canon logo and product images to falsely pose as official Canon support providers. For more information, visit usa.canon.com/about-us/to-our-customers/official-canon-product-support.
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