Avoiding Counterfeit Products

The purpose of this document is to inform you of Murata Manufacturing’s position with regards to the counterfeiting of Murata products and their illegal distribution.

Recently, we have confirmed that our products which labels have been partially removed,or have been intentionally concealed label information have been distributed in the market. Please understand that we will not offer any quality assurance for any products whose label information is removed or concealed by intention.

We have found on occasion that Murata products have been manufactured illegally with the Murata logo, have been distributed, and are circulating around the world, particularly in the East Asia region. The following are some recent examples.

  • Unauthorized distributors were selling counterfeits by forging a Murata letter of authorization, falsely stating they were our authorized distributors.
  • Unauthorized distributors were selling counterfeits online by illegally representing themselves as our authorized distributors.
  • Our customers had quality problems in their manufacturing processes as a result of using counterfeit products purchased from unauthorized distributors who intentionally promoted the counterfeits as legitimate Murata products.

In view of this, we are now enhancing our policing of counterfeits of Murata products. Accordingly, we have investigated the state of counterfeit distribution as well as illegal counterfeiters and distributors in China, sent warning letters to known offenders, and filed petitions to the Chinese authorities to accuse them. We will keep taking these tough actions and beyond, including further legal actions if necessary, against such illegal counterfeiters and distributors.

Products purchased through unauthorized channels are not covered by the warranty, and also there is a risk of damaging your products and your brand.
Therefore, we request that our customers make certain to purchase Murata products only through Murata Manufacturing sales offices, sales representatives, or our authorized distributors, to prevent the use of mistakenly purchased counterfeit products.

In addition, we would appreciate your understanding and support with regard to the following requests.

  1. Please purchase our products through our authorized channels as always to avoid any counterfeits.
  2. Please understand that we will not offer any quality assurance for products that have not been purchased through authorized channels.
  3. Please contact our salespersons immediately if any suspicious distributors are selling our products or presenting our letter of authorization.
  4. Please understand that we will not offer any quality assurance for products whose label information is hidden by intention.

Please note “Label Checking Service” is no longer available as of the end of December 2018.

  • *Counterfeit products: We have been aware of cases where comparable or substandard non-Murata products are sold as Murata products by using copied packaging, product labels, and Murata logo.