Different Methods of Product Counterfeit Prevention
Counterfeiting can occur in nearly every industry, from the hygiene and cosmetic industries to the automotive and industrial fields. So, protecting your product from imitators and suspicious third-party companies that can profit from your idea is crucial. Luckily, here are a few counterfeit prevention methods to keep your products safe.
Seek Authorized Retailers
Companies often rely on retailers to expand sales through e-commerce sites or brick-a-mortar storefronts. Unfortunately, there are instances of said retailers acquiring products from illegitimate distributors and companies or retailers stealing your product without giving your compensation.
So, ensure that you provide verifiable information to the retailer and obtain reliable data from them. You’ll have the confidence from selling your products on their shelves, and retailers will know they aren’t receiving a faulty product.
Give Customers All the Information
Consumers play a considerable role in keeping the market free of fake products. Make it easy for your customers to quickly identify or report knockoffs in the market by providing product descriptions and other information that quickly informs customers that your product is legitimate. If they receive or discover a counterfeit version of your product, they should be able to report any concerns to your business easily.
Review Suspicious Labels and Packaging
Understanding how labels should appear is one foolproof way to prevent your products from counterfeiting. Missing or expired “used by” dates, missing warranty information, unusual packaging, and broken or missing seals are signs of counterfeiting. In addition, laser coding can prevent counterfeiting by creating a permanent, high-quality marking on your packaging for clarity and authenticity.
Ensure Global IP Protection
If your product IP doesn’t contain the proper global protection, there’s a high chance of counterfeiting. Places like Hong Kong and China can produce counterfeits of your products without the appropriate ownership IP, resulting in third-party production with faulty assembly and functionality. To restrict others from manufacturing your products without permission, ensure that you register a secure patent, trademark, and copyright globally.
Counterfeiting has become a common problem in manufacturing. Take action against others stealing or illegally selling your product with the proper precautions.