Compaq seizes faked computer memory

HOUSTON: Compaq Computer Corp. said on Wednesday that it and US Marshals seized at the

end of January counterfeit Compaq computer components, including Compaq labels, from

Hardware 4 Less, a wholesaler which sells computer parts to other wholesalers.

Hardware 4 Less, which is located in Bow, New Hampshire and runs a Web site

hdwe4less.com, wasn't immediately available for comment.

Compaq declined to comment on the value of the goods, which it said included large

quantities of counterfeit memory boards and hard drives, as well as counterfeit Compaq

labels, packing materials, warranty booklets, and software licenses.

Compaq, which is due to hold a shareholder vote next month on its controversial merger

with competitor Hewlett-Packard Co., said it will seek damages of several million dollars

as a penalty for illegally manufacturing and distributing counterfeit Compaq products.

It also said it has court injunctions against several other companies that were found

to be buying and selling counterfeit Compaq products.

Hardware 4 Less's Web site lists two different types of Compaq memory for sale,

including 2 gigabyte synchronous dynamic random access memory.