Well then, this juicy story just keeps getting better and better. This morning we’ve learned, courtesy of Hot Hardware and TechEYE.net that the distribution company that reportedly supplied these fake/counterfeit/demo sample (whichever you choose to believe) CPUs to Newegg has begun threatening legal action against at least two web sites that published their involvement. To wit, here’s TechEYE.net’s quote from the firm they say represents D&H – Creim, Macias, Koenig & Frey:
“It has recently been brought to our attention that you are responsible for publishing on the internet, and specifically on your websites, untrue statements respecting allegedly counterfeit Intel Core i7 processors which you allege were sold to Newegg by D&H.
“This letter places you on notice that these statements are false. You have no basis for publishing these false and malicious statements about D & H. These false allegations are defamatory and disparaging to D&H”s business and business relations and have caused grave and irreparable damage to our client.
“IMMEDIATELY (i) cease and desist posting such defamatory material about D&H.; (ii) remove the contact and any reference to D&H from your website; and, (iii) post an immediate retraction and apology which shall remain posted for not less than thirty days.
“If you fail to do so by 5 p.m., pst., on March 6, 2010, D&H will pursue all of its rights and remedies, including, without limitation, an action for libel, will seek full recovery for the damages caused by your untrue statements including punitive damages, as well as seek injunctive relief.”
Yikes. Looks like somebody’s knickers are in a wad over this whole thing! Add that lovely cease and desist letter to the fact it appears individuals that posted at our forums have been told to keep quiet by an unknown legal force and a juicy scandal just turned ridiculous.
So let’s sum up.
- Forum users here and at [H]ardOCP post photos of what appear to be non-legit Intel i7 920 CPUs.
- Newegg quickly apologizes, begins RMAs of the processors, in keeping with their usual superb customer service.
- Newegg says (paraphrased) ‘Sorry about that, those were demo samples.‘
- Intel says (also paraphrased) ‘Nope, they are counterfeit. If your retailer doesn’t fix it, call the cops!‘
- Newegg tells our administrator, I.M.O.G., that they are in fact counterfeit and they will be taking care of their customers. Notice they did not mention their supplier’s name.
- The distributor mentioned at a couple places that reportedly supplied the items tells people publishing their findings on the matter to put a sock in it.
From oddity to downright silly in the time it takes to run SuperPi 1M. Our editor mdcomp is in contact with Newegg PR and they assured us we will be in the loop on future releases. We’ll continue to work to keep you up to date on this developing scandal.
UPDATE – Overclockers.com contacted Intel directly and they are sticking with their standard press release. Here’s what they have to say:
Intel has been made aware of the potential for counterfeit i7 920 packages in the marketplace and is working to [find out] how many and/or where they are being sold. The examples we have seen are not Intel products but are counterfeits. Buyers should contact their place of purchase for a replacement and/or should contact their local law enforcement agency if the place of purchase refuses to help.
Intel is getting samples to inspect and until then we can say that everything in the package appears fake. Some of the photos of the processor look like it is a casting and not even a real processor of any kind. Newegg has moved quickly to replace the suspect units.
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