Intel yet to see formal report on the CMDA issue: Spokesman

Reacting to the furore over the alleged involvement of three members of the Pune-based Computer and Media Dealers Association (CMDA), in selling fake Intel processors and their subsequent release by the local police after the charges could not be proved. 

The Intel spokesman has said that "Intel has not seen a formal report of the action and evaluation of the products are still taking place so we cannot comment on its results."

According to the spokesman, Intel filed its complaint to follow up on reports of Intel products being sold in fake packaging and with fake fan/ heat sinks. "Intel takes counterfeit boxed CPU issue very seriously and Intel is constantly working with relevant local law enforcement agencies to assist them with their investigations. Our resellers and system integrators understand that product reliability is important to maintain consumer confidence, and they have welcomed such initiatives. Our channel strategy and focus will continue to build up our GID network and to meet the growing demands of the India PC market," he stated in a press release issued here.

According to him, Intel had not seen a formal report of this action and therefore cannot comment on its result, however dealers selling genuine Intel products had nothing to worry about."

We believe that whenever resellers source products, Intel suggests buying genuine Intel products from Intel Authorized distributors or dealers. He said that Intel would continue to expand and train the Genuine Intel Dealer network to meet the growing demands of the Indian PC market. As part of this, the company would provide the right marketing tools and knowledge transfer to help them grow India's diverse markets, he said.

He stated that Intel worked with local law enforcement agencies to assist them with the investigations. "Intel has good relations with many local IT associations however it is the law enforcement agencies who plan and implement the raids, not Intel. It is their choice as to what parties are involved," he said.

The drama began when Intel, with the help of the local police, raised the premises of a Genuine Intel Dealer (GID) in Pune on May 30 on charges of possessing and re-packing CPUs. 

Three members of the trade association were taken in for interrogation when the CMDA president John Thomas intervened.

The charges against the three dealers were dropped when the local Intel representative confirmed that the CPUs were genuine. 

"The manner in which Intel had behaved was ridiculous. Even the Intel representative confirmed that the piece was genuine.

Only the dealer sticker was missing," said a literally upset Suresh Joshi, VP,
CMDA.

According to the CMDA members, products brought through the parallel route are perfectly legal and do not breach any copyright. "The Police were convinced with our arguments. There is no law, which states that Intel CPUs not sourced from its distributors, can't be sold in India, if they are imported legally under the Open General License (OGL)," said Thomas.

Following the drama, CMDA has given a written undertaking to EIPR officials that it will support any action against the accused if the charges against them are proved. "We do not support illegal trade. But, we feel that vendors should trust the associations and seek our support if they are planning to raid our members," Thomas said.

Cyber News Service