Legitimate inventors, manufacturers, and marketers have poured their creative energy into developing authentic products, whether it's movies, music, electronic devices or accessories. The people who steal the ideas are thieves whose crimes are punishable with serious penalties.

Some of the most frequently counterfeited goods are electronic devices and the accessories that go with them, including batteries, chargers, and external flashes.

NCPC is proud to have Canon sponsor this 2016-2017 Crime Prevention Month Kit. It is designed to tackle the problem of counterfeiting head on, with information and tips you can use throughout the year.

Counterfeiters, especially those manufacturing fake consumer electronics, are getting better and better at what they do. Thanks to today’s technology, they’re able to make products that aren’t just lookalikes, but near-identical copies of the authentic product.

Counterfeit accessories can be dangerous. They may overheat, smoke, melt, or ignite and could cause bodily injury or property damage.

NCPC and Canon have teamed up with Young Minds Inspired on this consumer education program.

Designed for high school and college classes in photography, cinematography, photojournalism, and imaging technologies, these materials will educate on the dangers of buying counterfeit camera accessories, and provide them with the tools to know the difference. Visit www.ymiclassroom.com/ncpc for more information.

Here are printable sheets designed to be printed or photocopied for your distribution. It has a space for sponsors, local phone numbers, and addresses.

Although these materials are copyrighted to protect their integrity, you may produce as many copies as you would like for free distribution as long as you do not change the text or delete NCPC’s credit line without written approval from NCPC. Some printers will need to see written proof that you have permission to print or copy these materials before they will proceed with the job; this page serves as that permission. You may add your local group’s name, address, phone number, and website where space is provided.

Report any suspicious activities or products

So how can you avoid purchasing counterfeit products and contributing to organized crime, gang activity, and other criminal activities?

If you believe that you’ve been duped into buying a counterfeit:

• Report it to the manufacturer of the legitimate product
• Contact your credit card company immediately to challenge the charge
• Report it to:
  • Your local law enforcement agency
  • The Better Business Bureau
  • National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (if safety is a concern)
  • StopFakes.gov, Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • For Canon products you can report any questionable sources or purchases by calling: 1-855-46-CANON.

For Help

The National Crime Prevention Council is combating the trade in counterfeit goods with its Intellectual Property Theft: Get Real campaign. The Get Real campaign homepage can be found on the NCPC website at http://www.ncpc.org/topics/intellectual-property-theft.

Other sources of help and information include:

• Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, U.S. Department of Justice
• FBI, What We Investigate/Intellectual Property Theft
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Intellectual Property Rights
• Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Intellectual Property Task Force, U.S. Department of Justice
• National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (Coordinates all federal intellectual property theft programs)