HARMAN International has enforced the surrender of more than 300 counterfeit JBL speakers in Singapore, following an internal investigation into fake products sold online.

The counterfeit items included JBL Flip 6, JBL Clip 4 and JBL Go 3 portable speakers. HARMAN, the parent company of JBL, said the products were traced to a private seller operating on an e-commerce platform based in Singapore.

The infringing goods have since been surrendered to HARMAN, with enforcement actions initiated against the seller, the company said.

Counterfeit JBL products found online

HARMAN said its in-house investigation identified the source of the counterfeit JBL speakers after monitoring suspicious listings on local e-commerce platforms.

The company works with online marketplaces and enforcement authorities to detect and remove counterfeit and infringing products across both online and offline channels, it added.

Grace Koh, General Manager and Vice President for Consumer Audio at Harman Asia Pacific, said counterfeit products undermine both consumer trust and product safety.

“Counterfeit products do more than compromise quality – they erode customer trust and may even pose safety risks,” she said. “We strongly urge consumers to purchase only from authorised retailers and official stores.”

Safety and quality risks from fake speakers

HARMAN said authentic JBL speakers are rigorously tested to meet strict quality and safety standards, backed by years of research and development.

In contrast, counterfeit JBL products often use inferior materials and bypass safety checks, which may expose consumers to malfunctions or other hazards. The company added that fake products typically deteriorate more quickly and lack JBL’s proprietary features, resulting in a poorer listening experience.

“When you choose genuine products, you are investing in uncompromising quality and a reliable audio experience,” Ms Koh said.

Singapore trademark laws and penalties

Under Singapore’s Trade Marks Act 1998, possession, importation or sale of goods bearing falsely applied trademarks is a criminal offence.

Offenders may face a fine of up to S$100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

HARMAN said it will continue to monitor and take action against counterfeit JBL products across the region, working with e-commerce platforms, enforcement agencies and industry partners.

Consumers who suspect counterfeit listings or products can report them to enforcement@harman.com, the company said.

JBL products are officially available on the JBL Online Store, the JBL official store on Lazada, Shopee, Tiktok Shop and all JBL authorized leading retailers including Takashimaya, Tangs, Challenger, Harvey Norman, Best Denki, Gain City and Courts.

HARMAN said it will step up monitoring efforts on e-commerce platforms in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region, as part of its ongoing brand protection and consumer safety initiatives.