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content/About Arduino/Trademarks & Licensing/How-to-spot-a-counterfeit-Arduino.md

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@@ -3,52 +3,65 @@ title: "How to spot a counterfeit Arduino"
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id: 360020652100
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---
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This article covers the issue of counterfeit boards – how to identify them and warning signs to look out for in stores. Let us first differentiate between compatible and counterfeit boards.
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This article covers the issue of counterfeit boards – how to identify them and warning signs to look out for in stores.
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In this article:
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* [About counterfeits](#about-counterfeits-boards)
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* [Identifying counterfeits](#identifying-counterfeits)
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* [Why buy original Arduino products?](#why-buy-original-arduino-products)
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> [!NOTE]
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> There are three trusted ways of buying an original Arduino product:
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>
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> * via **[Arduino Store](https://store.arduino.cc/)**: even if you’re not shopping there, you can use it as a reference for product names, colors, and prices,
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> * via Arduino’s official **[Amazon storefront](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Arduino/page/E4CD2702-3533-4B57-8BE2-6786AA74DC08?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto)**,
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> * via an **authorized reseller** of Arduino products, the list is available [here](https://store.arduino.cc/pages/distributors?srsltid=AfmBOoqsTcAm6WJViIrV49PnUJcVt3zQ2cxOoA8UbE0c_B-e4VhKmleN).
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---
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## About counterfeits boards
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Let us first differentiate between compatible and counterfeit boards.
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* **Compatible:** When a third-party product has copied the open-source hardware design and uses its own brand name. No problem!
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* **Counterfeit:** When a third-party product uses the Arduino name and/or logo directly on the product, or in the store, to deceive customers. Not cool!
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> [!NOTE]
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> It is fine for compatible brands to *reference* Arduino, in order for their customers to easily identify what type of product it is. Read more about trademark use in relation to compatible products [here](https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/4677964202908-Trademark-guide-for-compatible-products?_gl=1*eqme6q*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTk3NzU3MjcxOC4xNzQyOTc3ODcx*_ga_NEXN8H46L5*MTc0Mjk3Nzg3MS4xLjEuMTc0Mjk3Nzg3Ny4wLjAuODM4OTIxNDg2).
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## Table of contents
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---
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## Identifying counterfeits
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Below you will find the main indicators of original and non-original Arduino products:
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1. [Pricing](#pricing)
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2. [Naming and descriptions](#naming-and-descriptions)
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3. [Product photos](#product-photos)
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4. [Packaging](#packaging)
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5. [Color and silkscreen](#color-and-silkscreen)
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6. [Logos and fonts](#logos-and-fonts)
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7. [Why buy original Arduino products?](#why-buy-original-arduino-products)
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The tips below are intended for you as a customer, whether you have already bought or are planning on buying an Arduino product. By reading the contents of this article, you will be able to find out if an Arduino product of your interest is an original Arduino product, a compatible product, or in fact a counterfeit.
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<!-- The tips below are intended for you as a customer, whether you have already bought or are planning on buying an Arduino product. By reading the contents of this article, you will be able to find out if an Arduino product of your interest is an original Arduino product, a compatible product, or in fact a counterfeit. -->
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> [!NOTE]
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> There are three trusted ways of buying an original Arduino product:
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>
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> * via **[Arduino Store](https://store.arduino.cc/)**: even if you’re not shopping there, you can use it as a reference for product names, colors, and prices,
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> * via Arduino’s official **[Amazon storefront](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Arduino/page/E4CD2702-3533-4B57-8BE2-6786AA74DC08?ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto)**,
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> * via an **authorized reseller** of Arduino products, the list is available [here](https://store.arduino.cc/pages/distributors?srsltid=AfmBOoqsTcAm6WJViIrV49PnUJcVt3zQ2cxOoA8UbE0c_B-e4VhKmleN).
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Below you will find the main indicators of original and non-original Arduino products.
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## Pricing
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### Pricing
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Significant price differences between the official Arduino store and another seller might indicate a product is a counterfeit or a compatible board and **not** an official Arduino product.
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## Naming and descriptions
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### Naming and descriptions
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Look out for phrases like “clone” or “for Arduino”. These phrases are normally used to identify non-Arduino boards and components. They can be compatible boards and not counterfeits, but they are **not** original Arduino products.
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## Product photos
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### Product photos
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* Photos of one product depict several products instead.
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* Photos are angled or blurry to conceal details.
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* Listing photos do not match customer review photos.
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## Packaging
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### Packaging
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### Boards
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#### Boards
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* Individually sold Arduino boards come packaged in a compact, well-made cardboard box.
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* The top side should have a graphic of the board.
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* Counterfeits may come packaged in cheaper and generic packaging, like a plastic antistatic bag or zipper bag.
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### Kits
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#### Kits
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* Official Arduino kits come in well-made branded cardboard or hard plastic boxes, see examples below.
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![Arduino Starter Kit and PLC Starter Kit packaging.](img/counterfeit/kits-boxes.png)
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* Counterfeit kits may come packaged in cheaper packaging with each component coming in a plastic antistatic bag.
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## Color and silkscreen
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### Color and silkscreen
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The silkscreen is a layer of ink trace that contains logos, symbols, and text used to identify components. It also provides the board with a background color. Below you can find a breakdown of the original silk colors for our most popular products. Any other silk color may indicate a counterfeit. Please refer to the [Arduino Store](https://store.arduino.cc/) to see the correct silk color for a board you are planning on purchasing.
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Board | Front | Back
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UNO R3 | ![Arduino UNO R3 (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000066_front.03.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R3 (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000066_back.04.jpg)
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UNO R4 Minima | ![Arduino UNO R4 Minima (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00080_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R4 Minima (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00080_04.back.jpg)
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UNO R4 WiFi | ![Arduino UNO R4 WiFi (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00087_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R4 WiFi (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00087_04.back.jpg)
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Nano | ![Arduino Nano (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000005_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000005_04.back.jpg)
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Due | ![Arduino Due (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000062_front.jpg) | ![Arduino Due (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/A000062_back.jpg)
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Nano 33 BLE Rev2 | ![Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev2 (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00069_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev2 (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00069_04.back.jpg)
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Nano ESP32 | ![Arduino Nano ESP32 (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00092_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano ESP32 (back)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00092_04.back.jpg)
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Pro products | ![Arduino Portenta C33 (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00074_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Portenta C33 (front)](https://content.arduino.cc/assets/ABX00074_04.back.jpg)
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UNO R3 | ![Arduino UNO R3 (front)](img/counterfeit/A000066_front.03.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R3 (back)](img/counterfeit/A000066_back.04.jpg)
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UNO R4 Minima | ![Arduino UNO R4 Minima (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00080_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R4 Minima (back)](img/counterfeit/ABX00080_04.back.jpg)
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UNO R4 WiFi | ![Arduino UNO R4 WiFi (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00087_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino UNO R4 WiFi (back)](img/counterfeit/ABX00087_04.back.jpg)
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Nano | ![Arduino Nano (front)](img/counterfeit/A000005_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano (back)](img/counterfeit/A000005_04.back.jpg)
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Due | ![Arduino Due (front)](img/counterfeit/A000062_front.jpg) | ![Arduino Due (back)](img/counterfeit/A000062_back.jpg)
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Nano 33 BLE Rev2 | ![Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev2 (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00069_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev2 (back)](img/counterfeit/ABX00069_04.back.jpg)
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Nano ESP32 | ![Arduino Nano ESP32 (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00092_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Nano ESP32 (back)](img/counterfeit/ABX00092_04.back.jpg)
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Pro products | ![Arduino Portenta C33 (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00074_03.front.jpg) | ![Arduino Portenta C33 (front)](img/counterfeit/ABX00074_04.back.jpg)
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## Logos and fonts
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### Logos and fonts
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* Logo:
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* Original boards have the registered mark (®) next to the logo,
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<table class="img-captions">
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<tr>
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<td><img src="https://content.arduino.cc/assets/Logo_Ok.jpg" alt="Original Arduino logo"></td>
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<td><img src="https://content.arduino.cc/assets/Logo_Fake.jpg" alt="Counterfeit Arduino logo"></td>
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<td><img src="https://content.arduino.cc/assets/Logo_Fake_2.jpg" alt="Counterfeit Arduino logo"></td>
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<td><img src="img/counterfeit/Logo_Ok.jpg" alt="Original Arduino logo"></td>
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<td><img src="img/counterfeit/Logo_Fake.jpg" alt="Counterfeit Arduino logo"></td>
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<td><img src="img/counterfeit/Logo_Fake_2.jpg" alt="Counterfeit Arduino logo"></td>
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</tr>
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<td>Original board</td>
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<table class="img-captions">
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<tr>
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<td><img src="https://content.arduino.cc/assets/fake_fonts.jpg" alt="Counterfeit board using different fonts"></td>
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<td><img src="img/counterfeit/fake_fonts.jpg" alt="Counterfeit board using different fonts"></td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Counterfeit board with varying fonts.</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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---
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## Why buy original Arduino products? {#why-buy-original-arduino-products}
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Please note that purchasing an official Arduino product will support:

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