Ericsson takes action against counterfeiters at CeBIT '99

Ericsson takes action against counterfeiters at CeBIT '99 At CeBIT '99, representatives of Ericsson Mobile Communications approached exhibiting vendors of counterfeit products. Ericsson found a substantial amount of counterfeit accessories, including mobile phone batteries, front panels and cases. The action is an example of the company commitment to protect its products, and to ensure that legal and quality standards are met worldwide. Counterfeit products often do not meet the manufacturer's quality and safety standards, making them susceptible to malfunctions. In such cases, Ericsson can not accept warranty claims. Consumers who use phones with pirate antennas can experience limited coverage, and if used together with pirate batteries or pirate chargers, the talk- and standby times are affected. During CeBIT this year, Ericsson issued approximately 50 warning letters to more than 20 manufacturers, who were illegally using the Ericsson logotype on their products, or infringing Ericsson's registered design rights. A German court issued two preliminary injunctions, one against trademark infringement, the other against design infringement, to prohibit exhibitors from showing and selling counterfeit products. "At CeBIT it is easy to identify companies who market counterfeit products or use our trademark in an illegal way," said Niclas Almgren, Manager Trademark and Design Protection at Ericsson Mobile Communications. "Our activities are however ongoing and we follow up the observations made at CeBIT to see whether we need to take legal action. We want to ensure infringements are dealt with and the number of pirate products minimized." To make it easier for the consumer to recognize counterfeit accessories, the new platform of Ericsson phones include a verifying feature, where the phone senses if the battery is original or not. To ensure that the phone works according to Ericsson standards, non-original batteries are charged at half- speed. Ericsson's ongoing activities against infringements of the Ericsson trademark and design copyrights also include activities such as training and education, together with local authorities around the world, and a campaign to tackle counterfeit manufacturers. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Jan Ahrenbring, Marketing and Communications Director Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Phone: + 46 8 764 1460, +46 70 590 9900 Bo Albertson, PR & Information Manager Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Phone: + 46 8 764 1388, +46 70 510 0992