*** Consumer Alert *** The following information is presented a preliminary guide only. Duracell states they will no longer confirm or deny the authenticity of suspected counterfeit products or counterfeit identifiers.
Consumers seeking better product protection would be better served to shop products that offer better consumer support.
Duracell AA and AAA batteries are often counterfeited and sold all over the world.
Richard K. Willard, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for Gillette advised of the seizure of more than one million counterfeit Duracell batteries; "Consider for a moment the consequences should the counterfeit batteries wind up in firefighters' flashlights and fail during a major rescue operation? The counterfeiter, a criminal, is the only one who stands to gain."
Authentic Duracell Coppertop batteries are available in several visually different versions and models -- with and without the "DURaLOCK" silver band. Don't be fooled by a fake, buy authentic Duracell batteries from authorized Duracell retailers.
Tips to identify authentic Duracell Batteries:
- The label on authentic Duracell batteries will not peel off. If the label peels off, you have a counterfeit battery.
- Authentic Duracell batteries have a batch number laser-etched or stamped into the plastic label. It is rough to the touch -- not printed.
- Duracell uses recycled paper in their packaging. If you look at the back of the package, the card-stock should look dull, or similar to a newspaper. If it's bright white, it's suspect.
- Duracell batteries are packed flush to the bottom of the card-stock. You should be able to stand authentic battery packs upright without them falling.
- Duracell states that authentic batteries may be manufactured in Belgium, Germany, China and the United States.
- Other possible signs of counterfeit batteries include spelling errors on the package or poor picture quality.
Duracell batteries are packed flush to the bottom of the cardstock. You should be able to stand the battery packs upright without them falling over.
Authentic Duracell batteries have a batch number laser-etched or stamped into the label. It is rough to the touch, not printed.
Look closely, if your Duracell is missing this number -- you have a fake.
Compare the authentic Duracell AA and the counterfeit.
Could you spot a fake Duracell battery? If you can't, you should be buying from authorized Duracell retailers.
Flip the batteries above over, and you will see the laser-etched or stamped batch number on the authentic Duracell battery is missing from the counterfeit battery.
Counterfeiters are very good at creating products to deceive you.
If you can peel the label off your Duracell battery as shown here, you have a fake.
This Duracell battery was purchased on Walmart.com. Avoid unauthorized vendors on e-commerce websites.
These counterfeit batteries are not packaged to the bottom of the cardstock.
These counterfeit Duracell batteries were seized by authorities from the Customs Sector Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Leakage and damage to equipment is common with counterfeit batteries.
Beware of unusually low prices and buy from authorized retailers.
Counterfeit batteries pose a serious safety risk. It is believed that the fake batteries exploded because they did not have the specially designed cooling vent at the base of the battery. (photo BBC News)
Example of a cheap battery wrapped in Duracell "skin" to look like a Duracell Battery.
"Durasell" batteries seized by Australian Customs.
The similarity to authentic Duracell batteries color scheme constitutes trademark infringement.
(photo Australian Customs Service)
Examples of DURACELL clones simulating trademarked DURACELL colors.
Some have flimsy casings that crush easily under pressure by hand.
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