XRK Imposters on AliExpress

[xrk971]

Hi Folks,
It seems there are several products popping up on AliExpress under the “XRK” brand. It’s kind of flattering and funny, but a bit worrisome because I don’t know what they sound like or how good they are. Even the logo looks a bit similar. Maybe it’s pure coincidence? I don’t know.

Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that I had nothing to do with these products being offered in this way.

XRK E3 Mini Desktop Earphone Headphone Amplifier HIFI Digital Stereo Audio MP3 Amp with LME49600|mp3 amp|amplifier hifiheadphone amplifier hifi - AliExpress

There are more…

https://m.aliexpress.com/i/32977079729.html

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32975...2g0n.store_m_home.smartJustForYou_830115793.0

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32794...2g0n.store_m_home.smartJustForYou_830115793.0

 

[Cal Weldon]

Xinruike Electronics Store aka XRK branded, selling through Ali Express

Shinrico

 

[xrk971]

So pure coincidence then?

Is it Xinruike (XRK) or Shinrico ? All caps initials for selected letters in a name is a bit odd.

Sort of like Yamaha (YMH)

 

[Cal Weldon]

I am not interested in researching this further Viet. Please feel free to return with your findings. This is your thread after all.

 

[xrk971]

The company appears to be Shinrico (that’s their website url) and many of their products are branded as such. But some of the products started sporting the XRK all caps brand logo in place of Shnrico and are listed as XRK Shinrico now.

Guangzhou Shinrico Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

The “about” link says:

Guangzhou Shinrico Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. and founded in 2014 in guangzhou, is a focus on digital electronic products in the field of high-tech enterprises, is specialized is engaged in the embedded products, fever, audio products development and production of the company.

 

[twocents]

I can understand that the use of xrk could be pure coincidence, but certainly not the design of the XRK logo they are using. I feel sorry for you X, because I don't think you have much leverage or authority on that side of the world to fight or object to this.

 

[rif]

Could you pay a lawyer a few dollars to draft a cease and desist letter? My guess is that it won't do any good, but it's something.

 

[MikePP]

You might be able to push Ali to cease these fraudsters selling it through them

 

[xrk971]

There is little leverage of course. AliExpress doesn’t allow vendors to sell patently fake products (like Rolex watches etc) - so they may consider the case. I have an intellectual property attorney and friend who could draft a letter but not sure how far it would go. Thanks for your comments. It might be pure coincidence as Shinrico and Xinruike might both be Anglicized versions of the Chinese name. And since Shinrico has always been there and is the registered name of the company, why not SRC as the acronym? But the shape and look of the logo is what others me.

 

[Brinkman]

Could you pay a lawyer a few dollars to draft a cease and desist letter? My guess is that it won't do any good, but it's something.

Depending on how deep their pockets are, it may not be wise to draw attention to oneself by instigating this course of action.

I’m on your side XRK; also remember, our cellphones are listening devices. I learned this the hard way.

 

[rif]

I'm on your side, but let's look at this

Is there an overlap of products that could confuse buyers? Looks like they sell finished gear, you sell PCBs and components

Can you show that you used the logo first? You don't want anything backfiring.

 

[xrk971]

My first product was a finished pocket headphone amp. It received very good reviews. I don’t offer it anymore because they were too time consuming to make. I made 76 of them by hand over a 2-3 year span and that was enough. This was early 2017 - I don’t know when these guys started using XRK but I assume recently. I have not seen them pop up on searches with key word “XRK audio” until now. I also design commercially available amps and speakers. There might be some confusion by people that perhaps I had something to do with these designs, which I did not.

XRK Audio NHB Pocket Amp Review - Headfonics.com

 

[xrk971]

Aliexpress has a good IP protection policy:
https://servicehall.aliexpress.com/...egory.349&knowledgeId=349&categoryId=21038573

Listings of counterfeits, replicas, or other unauthorized items are prohibited on the Site strictly.
Listings of offers to sell or purchase counterfeits, replicas, or other unauthorized items shall be subject to removal by Alibaba.com.

 

[jjasniew]

It looks like they didnt get the "R" embedded quite right... I wonder what the truth of the matter is - a swipe of your logo, or just an unfortunate coincidence?

Good thing it's not a direct replication of your artwork. Thinking logo - and circuit designs.

 

[xrk971]

In the U.S., even if it’s by coincidence or accident, it would still count as “coat-tailing”, and there are statutes that can have quite strong teeth to prevent such things. It would not be enforceable in China of course, but it could be used to stop the importation of such items into the U.S.

 

[vallickad]

Tthank you, we in India have to depend on external suppliers, directly or indirectly.
The warning is Electronicaly lifesaving.

 

[Dibya]

Hi X.

Some mainland Chinese companies are greatest copy cat alive on the planet, . My friend who lives in Bangalore hired some people in Shenzhen for PCB design of his product back in 2003 , next year clone of his product were selling far and wide in china.

He hired folks over Taiwan since then , cost more but nothing ever leaked.

Their good chinese companies too like JLCPCB

They may stop selling it in Aliexpress but wont stop in local market.

 

[oon_the_kid]

Hi X,

Just be grateful it is not a porn company using it, it could seriously have undermined your reputation...

There is seriously nothing you can do about that... even the White House is not spared. Although I heard they have recently closed down [emoji12]

Oon

 

[Rodeodave]

Careful with flattering yourself. XRK has been a registered Chinese trademark since 2017 (registration number 21018218).

 

[xrk971]

No self flattery here if it’s true that they registered “XRK”. I’ve had this logo since March 2017. I believe they are registered as Guangzhou Shinrico Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. - that’s the name on their website:

Guangzhou Shinrico Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

http://www.shinrico.net/

If you can give me a link to the site showing the “XRK” and registration date that would be great. I was unable to find it based on the number you gave. It’s usually a 15 digit number.