You have brought up a very important point in this discussion. It is impractical to go after the counterfeiting source as the channel through which these infiltrate into market are often very difficult to trace. Secondly, as you correctly mentioned, the process is lengthy and costly and might not actually prevent other instances to spring up. I think the best bet to eradicate counterfeiting is to implement advanced ID processes and techniques and to educate the customers and those in the authorized supply chain.
Good point, Backorder. Educating distributors and customers about key things to identify proper parts is the best way to go. Counterfeiters will try to get into the market by the weakest link, which will be the buyer that has the least knowledge on identifying and spotting counterfeit parts.
One of the interesting things I've found out about the electronics supply chain is that the companies that take legal action against counterfeiters do not always discourage the practice. Some years ago ADI successfully shut down a Taiwan compnay that was manufactuirng fake ADI chips. It was a huge achievement for ADI. Nevertheless, ADI chips were among those sold to the DoD by VisionTech.
In this case, counterfeiters targeted the most expensive chips and ignored the consequences. Also, the distributor in this case was snagged, but the actual suppliers of the fake chips were not identified. This distributor is cooperating as part of the settlement. If the counterfeiters are tracked down and prosecuted, it might make a difference--or maybe not.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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