FTC Probes Counterfeit Printer Cartridges Sold as “Remanufactured”

FTC Probes Counterfeit Printer Cartridges Sold as “Remanufactured”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking into claims of anti-competitive practices by companies falsely labeling newly built printer cartridges as “remanufactured.”

“There is an enormous amount of imported printer cartridges flooding into the U.S. market through online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart and, other online retailers. These printer cartridges are newly built nonrecyclable and are falsely labeled and advertised as Remanufactured, deceiving consumers that they are buying a recycled product,” said the spokesman of FTC.

FTC claims that many states are banning the use of the recycling logo or reference to a product as being recycled if the product or packaging doesn’t meet statewide recycling criteria. “States are recognizing that many resellers of products are using deceptive practices to sell their products as being made from recycled material or being remanufactured,” the spokesman added.

The FTC has received complaints of resellers who are selling printer cartridges that are new built and falsely labeled as remanufactured. The companies below have been identified for using this anti-competitive tactic:

• Talent Image V-Surink
• Best for Image BJ Technology Novajet
• Reman Technology INKTOPIA NOVAJETINK TONERROVER
• Triple-Color
• Evinki
• Toner Kingdom Oliveelect LLC www.discountinkllc.com

245XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon PG-245XL

Above: Genuine Original Equipment Manufactured Canon PG- 245XL Black

Below: Sample of one OEM cartridge compared to nine new build counterfeit falsely labeled as remanufactured.

245XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon PG-245XL Top View

Comparison: OEM cartridge (above) has Canon brand imprint. The counterfeit cartridges are made from different materials of shiny new black plastic with no OEM brand imprint.

245XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon PG-245XL Back View

Comparison: OEM cartridge (above) has Canon brand imprint. The counterfeit cartridges are made from different materials of shiny new black plastic with no OEM brand imprint.

246XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon CL-246XL

Sample of one OEM cartridge (top left) compared to eight new build counterfeit falsely labeled as remanufactured.

246XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon CL-246XL Top View

Comparison: OEM cartridge has Canon brand imprinted on the cartridge. The counterfeit cartridges are shinny in appearance made from different materials whereas the OEM cartridge is muted.

246XL Counterfeit Cartridges for Canon PG-246XL Back View

Comparison: OEM cartridge has Canon brand imprinted on the cartridge. The counterfeit cartridges have no OEM brand imprint.

Related:

• FTC Votes to Support Right to Repair
• Right to Repair Laws Commence in the UK
• FTC to Champion Consumers’ Repair Right
• Consumers to Get Repair Rights in Europe

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