Rangefinder - October 2017

MCGRUFF THE CRIME DOG® HAS BEEN TEACHING AMERICANS of all ages to “Take a Bite Out of Crime®” for 36 years. But McGruff isn’t just nipping at the heels of drug pushers and bullies—he’s also on the trail of another breed of criminal, one engaged in the lucrative trade of intellectual property theft.

Of course, intellectual property theft doesn’t exactly sound like the kind of criminal activity that quickens the pulse (unless you’re a lawyer), but the real-world consequences of counterfeiting are anything but a bore. In fact, a network of criminal manufacturers—some with links to international organized crime syndicates—traffic in counterfeit Canon power accessories, including products that may cause serious harm to unsuspecting consumers.

“Counterfeit products are rarely, if ever,
manufactured in compliance with important
government and industry safety standards,”
warns Cathleen Combs, senior director and
chairperson of Canon U.S.A. Inc.’s Anti-
Counterfeiting Committee. “This is typically why
they are so inexpensive. Most do not include
important heat-management technologies
and other safety measures. Consequently,
counterfeits may burn, melt or smoke and
potentially cause serious personal injury or
property damage.”
Canon has found counterfeiters producing
knock-off batteries, battery chargers, battery
grips and external flashes. To help raise
awareness about the safety risks associated
with using counterfeit photography gear, Canon
partnered with the National Crime Prevention
Council (NCPC), the home of our friend McGruff,
to spread its cautionary message to consumers.

According to NCPC CEO Ann Harkins,
the organization, together with Canon, is
providing educational tools to crime prevention
practitioners, educators and law enforcement
officials who, in turn, are able to use those
resources to teach their communities about
the dangers of purchasing counterfeits. The
program kicked off in 2016 and its broad reach
has included digital media campaigns, public
service announcement videos and a satellite
media tour. “All to hammer home the simple,
important message: counterfeit products can
be dangerous,” Harkins says.

Counterfeiting isn’t just dangerous to consumers. This illicit trade damages businesses as well. “If people are buying cheap counterfeit products at flea markets or from fly-by-night salespeople, then legitimate businesses and dealers who are paying taxes are losing sales,” Harkins says.

Dangerous as they are, counterfeits aren’t
easy to spot, and that is why Canon and NCPC
advise customers to buy through authorized
dealers or direct from the manufacturer.

For Canon, enacting stricter penalties for those engaged in counterfeiting would help crack down on the practice, as would greater assistance from the small-parcel shipping industry, through improvements in its screening practices. “Online marketplace operators can also play an important role in the elimination of counterfeit sales,” Combs says, by certifying resellers of genuine products. This is why Canon and NCPC warn customers to steer clear of unfamiliar or unscrupulous e-commerce sites, particularly those with prices that look too good to be true.

Ultimately, success in the war against counterfeiters rests with the buying public, Harkins says. Consumers need to understand that buying knock-off goods may be dangerous and may underwrite criminal organizations. No cheap battery is worth that price.

While their safety message has reached millions of consumers, both Canon and the NCPC recognize there is still work to be done.

They are looking forward to continuing their anti-counterfeiting partnership into 2018.

HOW CANON AND THE NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL

ARE EDUCATING CONSUMERS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF COUNTERFEITS
Get Smart:

“Counterfeit products are rarely,

if ever, manufactured in compliance with important government and industry safety standards,” -CATHLEEN COMBS

“If people are buying cheap counterfeit products at flea markets or from fly-by-night salespeople, then legitimate businesses and dealers who are paying taxes are losing sales,” -ANN HARKINS