RIVERSIDE, Calif, January 13, 2006
– We have discovered that a number of our TISP® Thyristor Surge Protection devices are being counterfeited and sold to customers as genuine Bourns® products.
In particular, we have been informed that local AIC (the Chinese administrative agency investigating counterfeiting) in Shenzhen recently raided a Chinese company that is not an authorized Bourns distributor and found significant inventories of counterfeit TISP® products. The counterfeit versions carry the Bourns “stylized B” logo and use the Bourns part number markings on the package. Exterior packaging and reel labels mimic the authentic product, but the QRA Lot No and the date code markings, while appearing genuine, are fictitious.
Customers should not expect the counterfeit devices to have the same electrical performance and reliability as genuine Bourns® devices. As these products are used in circuit protection applications, we are concerned that the counterfeit devices may cause a safety hazard or provide far less protection to the circuits than intended by the design engineer.
We strongly recommend that customers buy only from Bourns authorized sources, which can be found on our website www.bourns.com. Customers who have purchased TISP® product from a source other than our authorized network, and who are unsure whether they have received genuine Bourns® devices may verify their authenticity by contacting your local Bourns sales office and giving details of the part number, QRA Lot No and Date Code. If we suspect these devices are counterfeit, we will ask for samples to be sent to us for detailed analysis.
We should however point out that if you have purchased devices from an authorized Bourns source, you need not be concerned. At this time, we believe the counterfeiting activity is not widespread. We will monitor the situation and continue our investigations into counterfeiting activity as appropriate.
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