Supply of counterfeit printing supplies have increased in the UAE, with technology major HP seizing 926,398 supplies during its fiscal year ending April 2010 compared to 444,000 in 2008.
In the Middle East, there were 2,423,358 seizures made of finished counterfeits and components compared to 2,532,465 in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Emea) region.
Amin Mortazavi, General Manager at HP Middle East (IPG) said: "HP is particularly susceptible to the estimated eight per cent counterfeit rate in the nearly €30 billion [Dh135bn] market for printing consumables in Emea. According to our research, consumers are also changing preferences due to risks associated with fakes."
HP research noted that more than two-thirds of purchasers surveyed (70 per cent) indicated that a health risk was sufficient incentive to eschew fakes, as is the prospect of wasting money (54 per cent), inferior service (54 per cent) and harm to personal property (59 per cent). Brand guardians may also be comforted to know that there is a significant moral deterrent as well: 79 per cent of UK consumers, for example, would not buy counterfeits if they knew they were helping to finance criminal activities.
The technology company has also increased focus on investigations and raids in 2009. In the fiscal year ending April 2010, HP conducted 13 investigations, created 17 substantial leads, 11 enforcement actions and 14 channel partner anti-counterfeit audits. At the same time in the Middle East, there were 224 substantial leads, 115 investigations, 85 enforcement actions and 292 channel partner anti-counterfeit audits.
According to HP, the estimated $750 billion global market for copycat merchandise is prominent in sectors such as automotive, personal care and IT. The organisation for economic co-operation and development also said 2.5 million jobs are lost due to counterfeiting activities across the G20 economies alone.
Print cartridges are also being returned and recycled which has reached 177,000 tonnes for HP.
More than 61 million ink and LaserJet cartridges were returned and recycled worldwide in 2009, bringing the total to date to 320 million.
By Nancy Sudheer
© Emirates Business 24/7 2010
