Just received this via Mouser product updates:
Distributor Update Regarding Perceived Issues with recent FTDI Driver Updates
Given the recent spate of publicity on various internet blogs regarding our recent Windows Driver release, I would like
to take this opportunity to update you all regarding our position on the matter and correct some of the misconceptions
that have arisen as a result.
Although in certain parts of the media it has been implied that there was some form of counterfeit detection algorithm
in FTDI’s latest driver, this is in fact absolutely untrue. There was no mechanism of that description in place and hence
no flagging up of a counterfeit device ever occurred. Exactly the same commands and sequence are sent to a genuine
chip as to a counterfeit chip. Some counterfeit devices simply failed to handle certain commands correctly (again
something that’s shows their lack of suitability for use in serious electronic system design) and they simply end up
quarantining themselves out of harm’s way.
A number of customers have expressed concerns, in particular that a product with a counterfeit chip may suddenly
appear to stop working, following a silent Windows Update, with no indication as to why. To address this, the recently
release driver release has now been removed from Windows Update so that on-the-fly updating cannot occur. The
driver is in the process of being updated to detect and flag said counterfeit devices and will be re-released shortly.
This will still uphold our stance against devices that are not genuine.
To date, this whole episode has not affected our large or medium customers at all. They haven’t been hindered in any
way as they source chips either directly from us or via our global distribution partners like yourselves. Even the vast
majority of smaller customers have not been impacted and we have been liaising directly with those who have had
concerns, in order to ensure that they have genuine FTDI chips. Our priority has always been to make totally sure that
our customer base are not inconvenienced. The problem has only been observed with our FT232R devices – no other
FTDI part has been affected.
FTDI has shown itself to be very proactive in combatting the issue of counterfeiting and will continue to be vigilant.
The hope is that the seriousness of the problem is now beginning to be realized and everyone in the electronics
engineering community will do their best to stamp out counterfeiting, as this will benefit the ongoing progression of
technology and encourage future technological advances.
Yours Sincerely,
Fred Dart ‐ CEO
I think similar has been presented recently.
FTDI_Statement.pdf (72.8 KB)