Sony targets grey imports

Sony has launched a public relations battle against the growing grey import market.

The consumer electronic giant is warning the public about using counterfeit batteries in its digital still cameras and camcorders. The company claims a tide of forgeries, almost identical to its own InfoLithium batteries, have been flooding the market and undermining the performance of its Cyber-shot and Handycam products.

To combat the problem it has launched an end-user awareness program and a new campaign to encourage its dealers to only sell genuine Sony InfoLithium batteries to accompany its products.

Sony is also asking its resellers to dob in suppliers of the counterfeit batteries.

A Sony spokesperson, who would not comment on the size of the grey import market in Australia, said the company was working to educate consumers on the dangers of counterfeit products.

“Our priority is to make consumers aware of this problem, and alert them to the fact they should be more vigilant, in order to protect the performance of their products,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson would not comment on whether it was reviewing the pricing or margin of its batteries to make them more attractive to resellers over counterfeit copies.

“Price is not necessarily an indication of a counterfeit model,” the spokesperson said. “Raising awareness of how to identify a counterfeit model is our priority.”