Printer manufacturer HP has confiscated 818,000 counterfeit printer cartridges from outlets in the Middle East in the first quarter of 2009.

HP, which conducted the raids in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, will join forces with Brand Owners Protection Group (BPG) and local enforcement agencies to combat the menace.

Outlets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey topped the seizure list.

Tina Rose, Anti-counterfeit Manager for Europe the Middle East and Africa, told Emirates Business that the technology company is looking at working closely with local associations.

HP could take Microsoft's route as it works closely with BSA (Business Software Alliance) to combat pirated software. "HP has just become a member of Gulf Brand Owners Protection Group and therefore would want to work with them to get leads on counterfeits and also conduct roadshows to create awareness," said Rose.

The BPG sprung up in the UAE is a group of leading brand owners and legal consultants to tackle the counterfeit goods trade and to protect Intellectual Property Rights.

The highest amount of seizures were from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey followed by Yemen and Bahrain.

"For HP the difficulty in Dubai is Jebel Ali as there is easy access for counterfeit goods to come and go. The region is also quite a central area for imports of all kinds of goods," said Rose.

HP is also auditing 50 per cent of its channel partners checking on counterfeit products.

The counterfeit cartridges come from China and are also made in the Middle East.

Ernest Azzam, Business Manager, laser and enterprise solutions at HP Middle East IPG, said: "Counterfeit is happening not only at a cartridge level but also repacking of printer boxes. The reason it is so rampant in this region is the growth and sales have increased tremendously."

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