Canon reporting to the Anti-Counterfeit Legal Team.

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Hey,

I was looking to buy a camera from Digital Rev, however apparently this is illegal? Is this the case, or are Canon trying to cause a scare?

My friend recently purchased from there, and everything is great from the service, product and everything else. He thought he'd try the £50 cashback from Canon, he wasn't sure if it would work, and then got this email. Is there anything to worry about? Or is it just a scare, or a warning as such?

Dear Mr ****,

We refer to your recent claim under the Canon UEFA Euro 2012 cashback promotion in respect of a camera purchased from Digital Rev with serial number ****.

We are very sorry to inform you that, although the camera is a genuine Canon camera, it was put on the market outside of Europe and was not intended for the European market. Such products are known as "parallel goods" or "grey market" goods and their sale in the UK is unlawful. Therefore, we are very sorry to say that we cannot accept your promotion claim in respect of this product

The sale of such products in the UK infringe Canon's trade mark rights and risk a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer’s one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.

We have reported this matter to our Anti-Counterfeit Legal Team and they are dealing with the matter from their side.

You may use this communication to assist you in obtaining any remedies (including a full refund) from Digital Rev.

If you would like any assistance in identifying a retailer from whom to purchase a legitimate Canon camera then please see our website (link below) for a non-exhaustive list of options (note that only new products are eligible for promotions, not refurbished products from the Canon ebay store):

http://www.canon.co.uk/Where_to_buy/

We are sorry that you have purchased an unlawful parallel import product and we do not want you to be prejudiced from participating in this promotion. Therefore, as a special arrangement with you, if you would like to purchase another Canon product and submit a fresh claim then we will extend the promotional period until 19th June 2012. (Please obtain or print a clean copy of the claim form and mention this exchange when you submit your claim).]

For & On Behalf Of

Canon Cosumer Imaging
 
I can't imagine anything will come from it.

Last time I used one of those Canon cash backs, the 'not even small' print was quite clear that it had to be a Camera/Lens purchased in the UK from a UK Retailer, so I don't know why your friend even bothered trying to claim it back.
 
I'd guess it's just a scare. It's not unlawful to import grey imports it just invalidates their warranty, otherwise there would be all sorts of free trade implications.

Trying to claim the cashback or a UK warranty would be a bit of a dunce move, however.
 
I got my confirmation email today also, but a genuine one as my camera and lenses where bought from UK retailers.

Dear xx xxxxxx

Thank you for applying for the Canon Euro 2012 Cashback Promotion. Your application has been received and is being approved for processing. You should receive your cheque within the next 28 days. Should you have any further queries related to your cashback application please quote the following claim reference xxxxxx in all correspondence.

Kind Regards,
Canon Consumer Imaging Team

For information about other great Canon products, including accessories for your new purchase, please visit www.canon.co.uk
 
I actually thought the thread was going to be about trying to fraudulently claim the cashback for a grey import camera. That would be nasty!
 
So by that logic I shouldn't be able to buy one on holiday then???

Why apart from greed did he try to claim the cashback? It clearly states it must be purchased from a UK seller does it not

No, you can buy one on holiday but you still suffer the shortcoming, for example an invalid warranty, and you still need to be careful about paying import duty and VAT when taking it into the UK.
 
So by that logic I shouldn't be able to buy one on holiday then???

Err no. Buying something abroad yourself and bringing it back into the UK and a retailer buying goods from abroad to sell on to an end-user are two entirely different things, although IANAL and won't pretend to understand the legalities of the latter.
 
Err no. Buying something abroad yourself and bringing it back into the UK and a retailer buying goods from abroad to sell on to an end-user are two entirely different things, although IANAL and won't pretend to understand the legalities of the latter.

Irrelevant but I wasn't familiar with that acronym and horribly misread it.
 
Thats a bit daft as its a genuine Canon camera and not a counterfeit. Canon should concentrate their efforts on getting the 600d/60d updated :)

I think you've taken it to literally.
Their legal team department likely encompasses all issues relating to counterfeiting and the sale of grey goods in the UK.
 
I've a feeling that warranties on (Canon) lenses are covered internationally, just the bodies that are regionalised, thus a 'grey' import lens should be covered.
 
Grey imports in the Uk are no illegal. There are the ususal issues around gey imports that the manafacturerd have but it is no way illegal.

For example shops like Superdrug and The Perfume Store still sell a large amount of Perfumes from the Grey market because the suppliers refuse to sell them to them but the free market and european law allows for the Grey market just don't expect warranties and cash back. Big difference in spending £20 and £1000 though on a Grey Import.
 
i believe companies can take action against suppliers (or stop supply) to them for importing grey products but as a consumer its not illegal at all
 
i believe companies can take action against suppliers (or stop supply) to them for importing grey products but as a consumer its not illegal at all

This was my understanding. It's not illegal for the consumer to buy such products but it is technically illegal for the vendor to sell them as they're not authorised or licensed by the manufacturer to import the goods. May well be wrong though :)
 
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