What else is Shure doing about counterfeiting?
Raids to shut down counterfeiters
Shure Asia based in Hong Kong works will local authorities in the Asia region to raid and shut down counterfeit manufacturers. In the past years, numerous factories were closed, containers were seized in ports of entry and products were publicly destroyed. On a few occasions Shure also worked with other microphone manufacturers to ensure concerted actions.
An exemplary raid conducted in Thailand is described in the following press release.
Since the overwhelming majority of counterfeit manufacturing plants is based in Asia, Shure Asia employs a counsel in their Hong Kong office who is exclusively responsible for Shure’s intellectual property matters in the Asia/Pacific region.
Activities against resellers of counterfeits
With the internet being the medium of our time, the vast majority of counterfeits are sold on-line. Being the largest virtual marketplace, Ebay is particularly affected, a fact that led the company to establish its so-called VeRO Program. This program allows manufacturers to close individual auctions if they have a strong suspicion that the products auctioned are counterfeits of their own products.
For example, in Germany alone Shure has closed more than 600 auctions from mid 2006 to mid 2007.
In September 2006 thousands of pounds worth of fake products were seized by Sefton Council Trading Standards Service in the UK. Read more.
General activities
Starting in October 2006, all Shure’s information material distributed in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, like product brochures, advertisements, banners etc., are going to feature an icon to create awareness of counterfeit products.
Cooperation with the press
To further create awareness of the fact that a significant number of professional audio products are faked, Shure is closely cooperating with industry publications. A choice of articles which have been issued on counterfeiting in the audio industry can be found here shortly.
Shure will use the law against any sales of counterfeit product, be it via resellers or internet platforms. Shure is not only watching, but actively working to rid the marketplace of any sub-standard product to protect the Shure reputation which our customers rely on.