Epson India expands crackdown on counterfeit printer cartridges and accessories

INDIA – Epson India, in collaboration with the Mumbai Police, has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit printer supplies, resulting in one of the largest seizures of fake ink bottles and accessories in recent times.

The raid, conducted on manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit goods, resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of counterfeit products valued at nearly US$50,000 (approx. INR 41 lakh).

Among the seized items were 3,758 Epson-packed ink bottles, 6,080 ribbon cartridges, and 12,467 refilled bottles.

Authorities also confiscated 49,750 counterfeit outer boxes, 35,430 holograms, 31,400 shrink sleeves, and thousands of fake Epson labels, tags, and stickers, evidence of an elaborate counterfeiting network.

In addition, police recovered industrial equipment, including inkjet printing machines, sealing units, and 12 non-genuine 20-litre ink barrels, along with a vehicle used for distribution.

Epson India stressed that counterfeit printer supplies present serious risks for customers, including device damage, poor-quality printing, and potential safety hazards.

For businesses, the impact is equally severe, eroding brand trust, causing revenue losses, and undermining the channel ecosystem.

“Protecting our customers, safeguarding our partners’ business, and upholding the integrity of our products remain our top priorities,” Epson said in a statement, praising the swift action of Mumbai Police.

Counterfeiting has long plagued India’s printer supplies market, with industry experts estimating that fake ink and toner cartridges account for 15–20% of the sector.

According to the Imaging Consumables Coalition of India (ICCI), counterfeit cartridges not only cost manufacturers millions of dollars annually but also evade taxes, thereby affecting government revenues.

Epson’s move comes as part of a broader industry-wide campaign to fight counterfeiting. Rival companies, such as HP and Canon, have also been stepping up their anti-counterfeit operations, conducting raids across major Indian cities in recent years.

The Indian IT hardware industry, through associations like the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), has been urging stricter enforcement of intellectual property rights and greater consumer awareness.

For consumers, the company advises purchasing printer supplies only from authorized dealers and checking product packaging for unique identifiers such as Epson’s QR code labels and holograms.

With digital printing demand rising in India, Epson reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to counterfeiters.

“This raid highlights both the scale of the problem and the need for continued vigilance. We will continue working with law enforcement to eliminate this menace,” the company affirmed.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE