Not quite what folks were expecting - but is counterfeit?

[cmacd123]

Spotting this Warning today

https://petapixel.com/2019/06/25/fujifilm-warns-of-fake-fujifilm-film-that-can-mess-up-photo-labs/

Some one has been selling Fuji 250D 8546 Motion Picture film (which was discontinued a while ago) in 35mm Still Cassettes. Fuji is calling the product "counterfeit.....

from the pictures in the article, the cassettes DO look like they are accurately labeled, (assuming their is real Fuji-film 8546 indside) with the exception that the Process required is not mentioned.

Naturally the REM-JET really would make a mess of anyone's Mini-lab if this were to be mistaken as C-41 film.

The "Marginal Merchants" of the world are getting more inventive.

 

[cramej]

It's counterfeit because Fuji didn't make it. Even if it has real Fuji film inside, it is most definitely not a Fuji product. Everyone knows that Cinestill is Kodak film but do you think Kodak would ever let someone else put their name on a product they didn't produce?

 

[AgX]

It's counterfeit because Fuji didn't make it.

Exactly.

There is a guy in Europe too, selling old stocks he turned into type 135 with fake labels on the cassettes using the trademarks of the alleged manufacturers.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Only Kodak and Fuji can currently produce certain C41 or MP films with any degree of success. All others would be quite inferior.

So, is this repacked Fuji?? If it has a new label, it is still Fuji film. And, the edge markings will tell us in the end.

PE

 

[AgX]

Unauthorized repacking with a Fuji label means making a counterfeit, even if the film once was manufactured by Fuji.

 

[AgX]

Even authorized packing can can be tricky. Think of the AgfaPhoto branded films with Agfa explicitely rejecting any liability.

 

[Photo Engineer]

And how about all of the Kodak MP film repackaged? Is it called counterfeit or is it called repackaging?

If it is not made by EK or Fuji but is sold as if it were theirs, then it is counterfeit. If it is the product of Kodak or Fuji but sold under another label it is repackaged.

The repackaging may not be authorized, but it is still genuine EK or Fuji.

PE

 

[cmacd123]

If it is the product of Kodak or Fuji but sold under another label it is repackaged.

The repackaging may not be authorized, but it is still genuine EK or Fuji.

PE

I understand that Kodak's lawyers will let folks know if they are selling repacked Kodak film that does not make it clear that it was not packed by Kodak. Buy8mmFilm used to repack Regular 8 Kodachrome, (kodak would only sell in large cases of 400ft rolls) and had to call it "Cinechrome Process K-14" And yes the film was edge printed Kodachrome. Likewise his Plus-x reversal also had only his name.

actually I can sympathize with Fuji on this one to some extent, the package shown in te link should say both the name of who is doing the repacking and note that the film is ECN2 process and not C-41. But I do find the term Counterfeit to be a slight exaggeration. (assuming the film is actually what it says it is.) {and the fact that it is expired even if stored forzen is also an issue}

 

[Cholentpot]

I'd like some Fuji 250D 8546, I'm down to a few rolls. The REMJET just washes off this film.

 

[AgX]

And how about all of the Kodak MP film repackaged? Is it called counterfeit or is it called repackaging?

In the cases I know those repackaged films are clearly described as being repackaged, even by whom.

The cases of counterfeit I refer to at least may lead the buyer to the belief to get an original conversion.

 

[mgb74]

I would argue that taking genuine Fuji film and repackaging in a cassette that suggests the film+cassette is from Fuji makes it counterfeit.

 

[MattKing]

I would argue that taking genuine Fuji film and repackaging in a cassette that suggests the film+cassette is from Fuji makes it counterfeit.

Unless, of course, it actually says on the packaging that the film is Fuji film re-packaged by XYZ.
Sort of like an "unauthorized biography".

 

[mgb74]

Unless, of course, it actually says on the packaging that the film is Fuji film re-packaged by XYZ.
Sort of like an "unauthorized biography".

Yes, in that case they're not inferring that the packaging is a Fuji product. I remember buying film at Freestyle; they made it very clear it was respooled.

 

[Wallendo]

Looking at Fuji's actual page using Google Translation: https://fujifilm.jp/important/article_20190624_01.html
The real issue is using Fuji's trademark on the film canister. Most likely this is Fuji film reloaded.
The cannister does use a very non-Fuji color scheme. Other than the illegal use of Fuji's trademark, the label may well accurately describe it's contents.
This compnay also seems to be using a Fuji trademark, but at least do put a warning on the cannister: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuji-8522-...Colour-Negative-Film-not-Eterna-/123467520948

 

[Cholentpot]

I just started scanning a roll of this stuff that I developed a month ago.

Get some and shoot it before it's gone. This stuff is really really good. If anyone has some short ends floating around in a freezer send it my way...

 

[Agulliver]

This 250D is counterfeit because the product is being passed off as coming from FujiFIlm.

Take Cinestill 800. We all know it's Kodak motion picture stock repackaged and repurposed by a non-Kodak company and sold under the Cinestill name.

If someone wants to do the same with Fuji, presumably they could do so under a different brand name such as "MovieStill", for example. They still might need Fuji's agreement. However, making a film cassette that looks like an official FujiFilm product with their logo on it...makes this product counterfeit. Which is a shame as it may well actually be a decent film if people are aware how it should be handled in the lab.

FujiFilm are, quite naturally, absolving themselves of any responsibility for labs gumming up their equipment attempting a C41 process on this film. Quite correctly as it's not a FujiFilm product.