Keysight is attempting to claw back a batch of equipment sold on eBay

[openloop]

Context: outback6 is a major, probably the biggest used equipment seller on eBay.

Just received an email from them stating:

Outback Equipment, Inc. (“Outback”) and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (“Keysight”) are
writing to seek your assistance with the tracing and retrieval of certain equipment that contains
Keysight intellectual property, including trade secret information, but which Keysight did not
authorize for sale. Outback received this equipment from a third party, not Keysight.

IP and "trade secret information" is total BS - one of the items listed is a 34401A multimeter.

Several items listed. I paid hundreds of dollars for them.

They are promising to make me whole, but I'm not sure how should I price repairs and stuff.

Am I the only one hit?

Any comments or advice?

EDIT: Changed origination from Outback to Keysight.

[bicycleguy]

see:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/keysight-ip-intimidation/msg2148307/#msg2148307

[openloop]

Thanks!

[Stray Electron]

  Can you post a copy of the letter that you received? You can blank out your name and address if you like.  Several of us having gotten these letters but they all claim from a legal firm that claims to be representing HP and not from Outback. 

   IMO this is a SCAM.  I think someone got a hold of Outback's sales records and is trying to SCAM the buyers into giving up their equipment.  AFIK neither Ebay, PayPal or Outback hasn't contacted any of the buyers, which makes me doubly suspicious.

[KaneTW]

Double check with Keysight using their direct contact info, not the links or info provided in the email. Don't agree to anything with the representing firm.

[openloop]

The letter is exactly the same as posted in "Keysight Scary Letter" thread.

And it is from both of them. I.e. a joint letter from Keysight and Outback.

I've contacted Outback through a different channel to confirm the whole thing.

[vk6zgo]

It does sound very similar to the Indian guy who rings up to say that "There is something wrong with your Computer"
Or:-
He is from "Telstra's technical centre".

Another one is the synthesised voice purporting to come from the Australian Tax Office to say "You are about to be arrested for tax fraud".

Then there are the emails from "Apple", "eBay", "PayPal", etc, all wanting me to go to a fake website & give my details.

If enough people are getting this crap, & if it is real, it might be worth an approach to the Media.
They are always (at least in Oz), looking for "shock horror" stories of the "little guy"getting pushed around by "Big Business" or Government Departments.

OK, they don't really care that much, but if it increases viewer numbers that is all to the good.

It is interesting to see the "big guys" backpedal !

[DaJMasta]

In the other thread, the Keysight rep on the forum has gotten involved and I believe confirmed it, and if I remember right, Dave knew someone who knew what was up who confirmed that it was legit, though I assume he wasn't permitted to share details.

It's easy to determine if it's legitimate or not, though.  Contact Keysight through their official channels in regards to the letter, not through a link included or through Outback, then you should at least be able to determine that the claim did indeed originate from them.  No need to jump down the conspiracy hole just yet...

[james_s]

Just ignore it, what are they gonna do? Not your problem.

[Keysight DanielBogdanoff]

Hi! This is 100% legit, not a scam or anything like that.

I haven't been cleared to discuss the situation or details . However, I have worked closely with the individuals mentioned in the letter for other projects and can assure you they are good, reasonable people.

I don't know what we're offering as compensation (if anything), but knowing how we do things I expect it'll be worth your time to at least have a conversation with them.

[Psi]

Just because it's true that keysight is trying to get test gear back doesn't mean that everyone receiving a letter about it is from a legit source.

I could totally see scammers sending out fake letters trying to get people to send test gear to fake keysight address.

[james_s]

I would ignore it either way, you bought it, you own it, not your problem. Also if they want it back that badly I'd suspect there was something interesting and start digging around.

[Stray Electron]

Hi! This is 100% legit, not a scam or anything like that.

I haven't been cleared to discuss the situation or details . However, I have worked closely with the individuals mentioned in the letter for other projects and can assure you they are good, reasonable people.

I don't know what we're offering as compensation (if anything), but knowing how we do things I expect it'll be worth your time to at least have a conversation with them.

   Daniel,  in the other thread you had already confirmed that the individual named in the HP letter was a real individual but you didn't confirm if this letter WAS from HP or if the named individual was truly involved in an effort to reacquire this equipment.
   
   Are you now confirming that he is involved in a legitimate effort to reacquire this equipment?  Can you say WHY HP hasn't responded yet to those that have responded to the letter?

   Speaking for myself, I'm not contacting HP or anyone else until I'm convinced that this is legitimate and is from HP but so far I've seen nothing that makes me think that it is.  If this is a real effort on HP's part then I'll say that they've handled it extremely poorly.

[eKretz]

In my opinion it's foolish to not at least see what Keysight are offering in terms of compensation. I'm sure they will be reasonable since they would surely like to take care of this with minimal damage to their reputation within the test equipment community. Give them a break guys. Mistakes happen. You've never made any? Would you prefer that the person who could help you rectify YOUR mistake was immediately on the attack or that they were at least receptive to helping you fix it?

And Daniel already DID confirm that this was legit in the other thread. And no, he said he can't reveal details.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/keysight-ip-intimidation/150/

[vtwin@cox.net]

Master Yoda says "The Drama is strong in this one"

[glarsson]

This thread explains why it is so difficult to get all recalled cars to dealers for updates.

[gnavigator1007]

It doesn't even sound like this was Keysight's mistake. Kinda doubting it was Outback's too.

[eKretz]

Doesn't matter if it was their mistake if they are signatories to a contract. Especially if they played a part in selecting the disposal contractor.

[Brumby]

It doesn't even sound like this was Keysight's mistake. Kinda doubting it was Outback's too.

I'm very inclined to agree with you.  The party at fault is likely a person or organisation not at all mentioned and, through whatever mechanism, Keysight has been brought in to work with Outback in tracking these items down.  I suspect Keysight's database on equipment (service, calibration, etc.) made them a logical party to be involved, since this would aid in tracking.


While my curiosity might like to know who stuffed up, I think it unlikely we will ever know.  It would be good if Daniel can at least indicate the general circumstances (perhaps as I conjectured here) so we can be comfortable in the knowledge that Keysight wasn't involved in the creation of the problem, just in its resolution.

[coppercone2]

why would you even let a big business get involved in your cash flow?

unless your selling boosted stinger missiles who gives a fuck??? they make enough money.

hey, you never know, the lawyer might get a heart attack if he has to stand up to go to the printer to mail the 10th letter. Attrition these people. If you keep complying to this bullshit you will end up with test equipment needing to be sold on darknet!!

Everything in every company is fucking 'confidential'. They wont waste a dime trying to enforce any of it! it costs them money to harass you.

if you actually have someone investigate, you sold it on the street out of a van. Its not illegal. You don't have the manpower to take the listing down despite not having the equipment. What are they gonna try to do?

You just keep slowing it down to archeological levels.

[Electro Detective]

If you can live without this 'intellectual' laden gear     put it back on Ebay with a satisfying reserve price, and MAKE AN OFFER option 

then let any scammers and or legit recallers place their bids, or pump you with an offer you can't refuse    

The winner pays up front AND sends their preferred courier to pick the stuff up,
after signing a release form at your end to cover any legal comeback BS in the future

Perhaps a quick phone call or visit to your solicitor/lawyer/attorney?    may be the go on that, and ADD that $ $ $ $ fee to the Ebay auction too. 

Do the right thing and buy some new shiny Keysight gear with the proceeds   
and wish them well with the intellectual gear they got back 


Everyone Happy and... End Of Story   

[Brumby]

 
You're entitled to your opinion - but I think anyone who takes up that attitude is going to do themselves a disservice.


If nothing else, I'd want to hear what was on offer under the mantle of "make whole" before deciding on any action.

[Electro Detective]

Hello...    The item was sold at auction, therefore the BUYER can do what they like with it,

use it, abuse it, take it apart, reverse engineer, bury it, video the dog or cat p!ssing on it and upload to Youtube, whatever

The scammers and or KS can hassle whoever auctioned it and Ebay about it, and see how far they get 

If it's a legit recall for whatever the reason, be it intellectual or dumbass, then MoneyBags Inc. can fork out some Xmas party petty funds to get it back

and reimburse OP for wasted time, money, expectations, bidding stress, and general inconvenience,
and EEVblog server space here

 

[vealmike]

I don't get it.
Why the militancy? If someone saw you lot holding a gun, mistakenly thought you were aiming at your leg and said "Hey, don't do it!" would your response be "F-You! My foot, my choice! None of your damn business, I'll shoot my all my limbs off if I want to."
!!BAM!! "See? You're not the boss of me!" !!BAM!! !!BAM!!



Keysight have said this is genuine.
Keysight have said they will not discuss the detail on an open forum.
Keysight have said they understand this is an inconvenience for the kit owner and that they are prepared to make an offer.

Why, for the love of -insert name of preferred deity- would anyone in not talk to Keysight to see what they are prepared to do? It sounds like most of the kit involved is pretty old. They aren't going to be able to replace it with similar aged stuff. The replacement may not be brand new, but it isn't going to be as old as the kit you've got. Keysight also know that they're not going to be able to get you to accept a downgrade.

"Dear Keysight, Yes I do have that kit. I purchased it at auction. I am using it and it is valuable to me. You say you will "make good", what did you have in mind?"
Listen to their offer. You may consider that you are under no obligation to accept, but hearing what they have to say doesn't change that.

[Brumby]

Why, for the love of -insert name of preferred deity- would anyone in not talk to Keysight to see what they are prepared to do?

I have my theories...... but I'd probably attract complaints if I spelled it out.