Got this from fortecfiles.c0m, posted by jrpca, a mod there. Was posted there yesterday. Should be of interest for people who suspect they have a VS clone.
Viewtech, Inc. is offering a $5000 reward to any individual or company that provides information leading to the conviction of any individual or company involved in the importation and/or distribution of illegal, counterfeit, Viewsat clones.
Viewtech, Inc. takes counterfeiting very seriously and will aggressively protect its business. Viewtech, Inc. has hired private investigators and a legal team to track down those illegally importing and distributing counterfeit products. We are currently pursuing several leads . Individuals and companies involved will be exposed and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.
WARNING TO ALL VIEWSAT BUYERS- Viewtech, Inc. is aware that counterfeit Viewsat clones are being manufactured in China and are being imported by companies in the US and Canada. We strongly recommend that you buy from authorized dealers only. Authorized dealers will carry the authorized dealer logo pictured below. That logo must link to .viewsatusa.com/authorized_dealer_123456.htm page. Note: Number will be different for each dealer . This page will confirm if the dealer is legitimate. Authorized dealers receive this logo only after they have executed a dealer agreement stating, in part, that they are not and will not in anyway be involved in the illegal distribution of counterfeit Viewsat clones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a counterfeit Viewsat clone?
A: A counterfeit Viewsat clone is a cheap copy of the original. A genuine Viewsat is of high quality and manufactured in Korea. The illegal copies are currently being made in China. Manufactures in China are able to make a cheap copy that is designed to fool the unsuspecting consumer. Because the counterfeit manufacture cuts several corners to reduce cost, the units are sub-standard and often cease to function within weeks. When the unit fails, you are then stuck with worthless hardware that cannot be legally repaired.
Q: Which models are being cloned?
A: Both the Viewsat Xtreme and Viewsat Platinum models are currently being cloned.
Q: What are the dangers of buying a counterfeit Viewsat clone?
A: If you knowingly buy a counterfeit clone, you are committing a crime. While they look the same, they are not. They are cheap copies of the original. When you buy a clone, you are being ripped off! You get an inferior product. The product is not covered under warranty. The product will most likely fail to operate a short time after purchase because of poor workmanship and may be incompatible with official Viewsat factory firmware.
Q: If counterfeit clones are identical to the original, how will I know if I have one?
A: Even the best counterfeits can be identified. We have several ways of detecting counterfeits. Usually, the clones will not have a card reader inside, will not have rubber feet on the bottom, remote will look different, and power switch will be horizontal rather than vertical. If you suspect you have a clone or that someone is selling clones, please contact us at [link removed]. c o m
We appreciate any and all assistance in bringing these criminals to justice. Our goal is not only to protect our products from being devalued, but to protect you, the consumer from getting fooled into buying a poorly made illegal product.
LMHO A thief offering a reward to catch a thief. You should'nt steal from a crook. The worst theif is a stupid theif. So go ahead and report them stupid.
Well I myself wouldn't want to get involved in all of this, but at least viewtech is trying to do something about companies who are selling fake receivers.