Business News
HP Reaches Settlement in Gray Market Case Against Maxicom PC Inc.
Wednesday 12. March 2008 - HP today announced it has reached a settlement with Maxicom PC Inc., its owner-operators, and a sales representative who were defendants in gray market litigation that HP filed in February in a Florida federal court.
HP sought to recover more than $4 million in pricing discounts for computer equipment that Maxicom PC had received based on misrepresentations that the equipment would be resold to specified end-user customers.
“HP is committed to supporting our authorized business partners and protecting our mutual customers,” said Adrian Jones, vice president and general manager, Solution Partners Organization – Americas, HP. “Were committed to prosecuting those parties who use fraudulent means to obtain HP products for the purpose of selling them through unauthorized channels.”
To protect legitimate channel partners and joint customers, HP is focusing on three key initiatives: education and training; tightening business practices and controls; and taking appropriate action in relation to resellers who violate terms of their authorized reseller agreements.
HP is a founding member of the Alliance for Gray Market and Counterfeit Abatement, a global association formed in September 2001 composed of leading technology companies committed to addressing the global impact of the gray marketing and counterfeiting of technology products.