Enterasys - Secure Networks

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS

Gray-Market Goods

On occasion, customers are presented with opportunities to purchase Enterasys products through unauthorized, or gray-market, vendors. Gray-market products are products, either used or new, that are offered for sale by unauthorized third parties. Customers are advised that certain risks arise with the purchase and use of gray-market products, which significantly reduce the value of these gray-market products.

In short, purchasers of gray-market products do not obtain the levels of protection, service and support provided by authorized Enterasys partners. Among the critical factors that undercut the perceived “savings” associated with gray-market products are the following:

• Product Warranties. Enterasys hardware and software warranties are nontransferable. Accordingly, Enterasys hardware and software sold by unauthorized third parties do not carry Enterasys warranties.
• Firmware and Software Licenses. Firmware (software embedded in Enterasys equipment) and software licenses are nontransferable. Therefore, Enterasys firmware and software purchased from any party other than an authorized Enterasys partner are not licensed by Enterasys. Possession and use of such software and firmware violates Enterasys’ rights under federal copyright laws and subjects the user to legal liability.
• Support and Service. Unlicensed software and firmware, and gray-market hardware are not eligible for critical support and service. This includes extended warranty coverage, phone support and other essential support.

Although Enterasys products are renowned for their performance and reliability, customers take a significant risk when they buy those products through unauthorized channels. When purchasing our products from a party other than an Enterasys authorized partner, not only does the customer forfeit the opportunity to obtain Enterasys’ warranty, licenses, support and service, but the customer also is buying a product with no assurance as to whether or how it was used prior to that time, whether or how it was tested and reconditioned prior to resale, and many other critical factors.

Enterasys understands that its customers’ decisions are driven not only by product performance and reliability, but value as well. Enterasys continues to strive to offer the best products, at competitive prices. While Enterasys recognizes the perceived value proposition associated with the purchase and use of gray-market products, Enterasys urges its customers to take into account the significant risks associated with the purchase of those gray-market products. When those risks are properly accounted for, the perceived value may be illusory.

Enterasys strongly encourages its customers to ask resellers of Enterasys products to provide proof that the products being offered were purchased either directly from an Enterasys-authorized distributor or from Enterasys itself. Further, Enterasys would be happy to review any such documentation to ensure that our customers receive the licenses and warranty protections that are essential to the successful use of Enterasys products.

Find an authorized Enterasys reseller.