Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
Like every fake thing that ever existed, you need to look for one, or more than one marking. Here we show the example of the Arduino Uno, the entry board into the world of Arduino to display all the qualities that have been observed as common on fakes and counterfeits.
For a regular Arduino user, the differences may look apparent, but what about a naive first time user?
Arduino offers the following tips for Arduino users.
- If an Arduino is being sold online for less than the stated price in the market, it may indicate a counterfeit.
- Look for keywords like 'Arduino compatible' or 'Uno for Arduino' while buying online, because if the boards look like original Arduino, they are mostly fake.
- In every original Arduino the connections between components look 'woven' and beautiful, not 'pasted' and ugly.
Avoid buying risky poor quality counterfeit products and buy directly from Arduino or authorized retailers.
This is the authentic Arduino UNO board.
Counterfeit products are often listed on e-commerce websites including eBay and sold to unsuspecting buyers as "genuine" or "100% authentic" items at prices close to retail.
Hold the board in a white light.
The regular Arduino's color is generally a mix of green and blue. The counterfeit boards usually have a blue to deep blue color.
The authentic golden/black 501K component is specially made for Arduino.
Many counterfeits have a green component, and the counterfeit on the right -- a deceptive gold 504 F component.
Buy authentic products from Arduino or authorized retailers.
This counterfeit UNO has the correct gold color 504 (earlier 501K) component, but note the printing error on the "TM" logo and the different font used for the "Arduino" word mark.
This UNO board is a counterfeit.
This counterfeit Arduino UNO board was purchased on eBay.
Buyers should be cautious when using e-commerce websites including eBay, as they may receive counterfeit products.
The back of a counterfeit Arduino UNO purchased on eBay.
Counterfeit products are often listed on eBay as "Authentic" or "100% Genuine" and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
This UNO board on eBay with the Arduino word mark edited out isn't going to fool anyone including Arduino's trademark attorneys.
Dishonest sellers will try anything to deceive you, but it is an infringement on Arduino's intellectual property rights.
This Arduino UNO advertised on Aliexpress for $8.95 is a counterfeit.
You risk receiving poor quality counterfeits products that may damage your equipment when you buy from unauthorized retailers on e-commerce websites.
When you carefully observe the font in which the word 'Uno' is written, there may be a difference.
Arduino font is custom designed and counterfeiters tend to overlook or not be able to reproduce the same style. Observe the 'O'!
There is only one Arduino logo, which looks like this.
Compare the sharp edges and the hole inside the 'A' on the authentic Arduino logo and compare it to the counterfeits shown.
 |
