Just to add myself to the list of victims. I think FTDI should prevent fake chips from working but altering them is over the limit of just protecting themselves, it's hurting others and their own names. I didn't know some of my stuff have counterfeit chips and how should I? But now they are not going to work thanks to FTDI's little selfish act. I'll switch away from them in my future designs and use other chips. Their chips are neither cheap nor robust. The counterfeits are probably all going on arduino boards. So if we move to other chips, we'll leave FTDI to defend its own little territory like a kid in a play ground. Nobody cares about you FTDI?! I'll go with some reputable dealer that has some TI chips or other companies. Hate their SSOP-only packaging anyway. Bad for prototyping. Thanks for helping me make decision to stay away.