Zero tolerance policy includes hotline and legal steps Product faking does not stop short of AKG products any more. The amount of counterfeit AKG products offered as originals at Internet auctions, flea markets, and in direct sales campaigns has been growing dramatically. The products sold through these channels are obvious fakes, e.g., headphones and microphones that do not even exist officially. AKG now steps up action against the booming counterfeit "industry" and has installed a special hotline at hotline@akg.com for any questions regarding suspicious product offers. Starting soon, AKG will publish on its website the names of suppliers of counterfeit AKG products and intensify its legal campaign against product faking. AKG recommends visiting the AKG website at http://www.akg.com/ before buying from a non-authorized source, in order to check whether the names of the desired products are correct. "The manufacturing and marketing of counterfeit products violate competition laws, trademark rights, and corporate rights. We will take every appropriate legal step to stop product fakers," explains Alfred Reinprecht, Marketing Manager at AKG Acoustics GmbH. Poor-quality components and workmanship give fakes away At first sight, many visual and technical features (e.g., the AKG logo) of a counterfeit product may appear to be identical to the original. A closer look, however, immediately reveals the poor quality of components and workmanship of most counterfeits. Many illegal products have names, for instance, that do not even exist. Buying counterfeit products involves obvious dangers. Besides poor workmanship and low product quality, most illegal products involve higher safety risks. Counterfeit products may not meet legal requirements in terms of materials, workmanship, and safety. AKG will accept no liability whatsoever for any damage that may be caused by such products. Also, AKG grants no warranty whatsoever for, and will not repair, any damaged counterfeit product. AKG therefore recommends buying AKG products from authorized dealers only and immediately contacting the company at hotline@akg.com if there is any reason for doubt about an AKG product offer. For more details, see www.akg.com/counterfeit |
