Canon Replicas and Why This Is a Problem
We explain what you should look out for in the future and why there is no compensation for counterfeits:
Many of our customers are currently wondering why some of their recycled Canon cartridges are not listed on their invoices and, as a result, are not being reimbursed. This is related to a problem that is, unfortunately, becoming increasingly common—counterfeits.
Normally, the process works like this: we purchase ink cartridges—either brand-new or already refilled (as “original refills”)—and then sell them to remanufacturers, who give them a second life and offer you, the consumer, a cost-effective alternative to the original product. This is completely standard practice, legal, and environmentally friendly.
However, what we’re now seeing more and more often are counterfeits. While these may look almost identical to the original cartridges, they do have minor differences. We’d like to point these out to you here so that you can recognize the differences and take action if necessary—especially if, like us, you want nothing to do with counterfeits.
When an ink cartridge is refilled, the refiller is required to remove all logos from the original manufacturer, since the cartridge is no longer a genuine Canon cartridge after the process.
With the Canon logo—this is what the bottom of a genuine Canon cartridge looks like:
Here you can see what the bottom of an original Canon cartridge should look like. You can clearly see the Canon logo.
This is what the bottom of a remanufactured Canon cartridge looks like:
When a cartridge is being prepared for refilling, the logo is removed—either with a milling machine or a soldering iron. Here are some examples of what that looks like:
And this is what a replica or counterfeit looks like:
The replicas, on the other hand, are completely smooth on the underside; in some cases, you can also see a different type of plastic. Here, you can see neither an existing logo nor one that has been removed:
As you can see, the difference is easy to spot once you know what to look for!
As is so often the case: There’s no rule without an exception!
The Canon ink cartridge models PG-560 and CL-561 do not have a Canon logo on the bottom. Perhaps because there wasn’t enough space, given all the other markings:
Why do we want to raise your awareness about this topic?
We want you to be satisfied! That’s why we want to explain our processes transparently and provide you with comprehensive information. You don’t have to be a professional to work with us, but knowing the basics never hurts!
Since 1998, we have been committed to honesty, ethical business practices, and compliance with the law. Counterfeit products do not align with these values, which is why we will never purchase these cartridges. They are disposed of immediately.
More info on defects and damage to ink cartridges