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Internet & eBay fraud warning


ILDA does not manufacture or sell equipment. You should therefore beware of potential Internet/eBay misuse or fraud regarding "ILDA" or "FDA" projectors.

  • If you see laser show equipment which says it is "ILDA compatible", be wary. Some mislabeled equipment will use the same connector, but will have different, incompatible pin assignments or signal levels (such as the projector at right).

  • If you see the ILDA logo being used to sell equipment, this is incorrect. ILDA does not approve or certify equipment.

  • If you see "ILDALASER" equipment on the Internet or eBay, this is fraudulent trademark infringement. The equipment has nothing to do with ILDA. Because of the trademark infringement, we do not recommend that you purchase from this company.

  • If you see "FDA", "FDA Certified" or "FDA Accession number" you should be cautious. The projector may not have permission from the FDA to be sold, even if the eBay ad says or implies it does. See the FDA section below for details.

  • If you are an eBay seller, and you receive a check from "ILDA", this may be part of an online scam. See the ILDA check eBay scam section below for details.


"ILDA compatible"?

The International Laser Display Association has developed a set of technical standards that allow controllers such as computers to talk to laser projectors. The connector used for this is a DB-25. These were commonly used on IBM PC-type computers for parallel ports; they have 25 holes (pictured above) or pins.

  • Just because a laser projector or controller has a DB-25 connector does not mean that it is ILDA compatible. The pin assignments and signals also must conform with the ILDA technical standards. In addition, an "ILDA Standard Projector" also has requirements for scanner tuning speed (how well the scanners can show a test pattern) and optional requirements for DMX effects control.

  • If you are considering purchasing laser equipment with an "ILDA connector", be sure that the manufacturer guarantees that it conforms to ALL of the ILDA DB-25 specifications, including the pins and signals. These specifications are available for free to ILDA members, in the Members-Only section. Non-members can purchase them by contacting ILDA; the price is $50 for a set of all standards.
     

ILDA logo is not for equipment

The ILDA logo is a trademark which is reserved for use of the International Laser Display Association. We do allow members to use the logo in approved ways to indicate their membership in ILDA.

However, the ILDA logo should never be used with equipment, to state or imply that the equipment meets ILDA's technical standards. If you see the ILDA logo being used to sell equipment, this is trademark infringement and we'd appreciate it if you would let us know.
 

Fraud and trademark infringement

We have seen fraudulent ILDA logos being used. The one at right is an example.

Also, the name "ILDA" is a trademark. It should not be used for company or product names.

As of spring 2006, there is a company selling lasers and equipment using the names "ILDALASER" and "MYILDA". These products have nothing to do with ILDA. Obviously, we cannot recommend that you buy from companies that are blatantly trading on ILDA's 20-year reputation as the industry's leading trade association.
 

"FDA" certification: Really?

This section is for U.S. buyers of lasers and projectors, that have an output power of 5 milliwatts and above.

FDA logo on laser projectorSome eBay sellers state or imply their laser projectors are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One company even puts the FDA logo on the laser projector. However, the logo should not be on the projector. This is because the FDA does not "approve" projectors.

The FDA requires all laser products to be certified by the manufacturers, stating that the laser product meets FDA requirements. For laser products 5 mW and above that are used for demonstrations, shows or displays, the FDA additionally requires a "variance" application, stating that there are additional safety features for this use. When submitting these reports, the FDA assigns an "accession" or case number to keep track of the submission progress.

Any legitimate manufacturer or importer with a variance will have a valid accession number from the FDA. Ask for this number -- the projector is not legal without it. Some eBay sellers will give you a random series of digits, such as "5674930" but this may not be valid. If you are not sure, ask to get a copy of the paperwork (variance approval letter from the FDA and perhaps a page or two of the Laser Product Report), or contact ILDA.

Some eBay sellers will try to get around the FDA regulations, either by selling you the parts to make a projector, or by stating that the lasers inside the projector are certified. This is a potentially illegal practice because it shifts full responsibility to you. If you assemble or make a projector -- even one -- you are a laser show manufacturer according to the FDA. It is then your responsibility to apply for 1) the Laser Product Report and 2) a variance, if the projector is 5 mW or greater, and is used for demonstrations, displays or shows. Trust us, this is very complex and most consumers or even hobbyists would not want to go to this trouble.

In addition, the way you use the laser requires a separate variance. That is, you need a variance for the equipment (projector) and a separate variance for how it is used (the laser show or demonstration). You will need to submit all four documents (Laser Product Report & projector variance; Laser Show Product Report & show variance) and have them approved before you can legally do any type of public laser show or demonstration (e.g., outside your home).

You can see why it is far better to purchase a laser projector which has been truly FDA approved as a fully-functioning, complete projector. The presence of an "FDA" logo, or giving you some digits of a claimed accession number may not be sufficient. Again, check with ILDA if you are unsure.
 

ILDA Members are required to disclose compliance

ILDA's Code of Business Practice requires our Members to fully disclose "the status of the product's compliance with laser safety standards". Also, "the seller should clearly state whether the product may require the buyer or end user to obtain permits, variances or similar legal approval." If you feel an ILDA Member is not living up to this, please contact us


"ILDA check" eBay scam

In mid-May 2006, ILDA received three calls from people selling items on eBay. These sellers had checks from a buyer claiming to be in Georgia; the checks included ILDA's name. One check was for $25,000.

At this time, ILDA has not purchased any items on eBay. Therefore, these "ILDA" checks are likely to be fraudulent. In one case, the buyer overpaid for the items and asked for the overpayment amount to be returned to them. Of course, the original "ILDA" check will bounce and the buyer will have both the eBay item and the overpayment. This is a known scam.

If you are an eBay seller and have received such a check, do not cash the check and do not send your item. Contact eBay to report the buyer. If you wish, call our office at 407-797-7654 to confirm that we did not send the check.

 


© 2004-2011 International Laser Display Association. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of text or images on this site is allowed without written permission of ILDA or other copyright holder(s). "ILDA" and the ILDA logo are trademarks of the International Laser Display Association.

ILDA WEBSITE AT-A-GLANCE

 
   Most-used website pages

Home page
What's new with ILDA  (latest news)
----------------------------
Become a Member  (for non-members)
Become Accredited (for laser show companies)
Renew for this year  (for Members)
Member Management website
Contact us  (address, phone, etc.)

Safety links & articles

 

    For laser show clients

Find a laser display company:
      Directory of ILDA Accredited Professionals
      ----------------------------
      Directory of ILDA Members, alphabetical
      Directory of ILDA Members, geographical

      Directory of ILDA Members, searchable database

      Members who renewed for 2011
      ----------------------------
     
Submit an inquiry about a specific project
      Contact ILDA

See our Members' work:
      Places to see laser shows
      Latest shows and projects
      New products and services
     
Press releases from our members
      ----------------------------
      Sign up for Laserist list email
      ----------------------------
      Laser art book: "World of Manick Sorcar"

     
Articles by and about ILDA

Why use lasers:
     
Complete Guide to Laser Shows
     -----------------------------
      Why lasers?
     
Atmospheric beam effects
     
Animated graphics
     
The show
      
Technology

Consumer protection:
    
 ILDA Accreditation helps ensure qualifications
      ILDA Code of Ethics protects you
      Ethics Complaint Form (file a complaint)
      Ethics Complaint List (active complaints)
      What does it mean that a company is an ILDA Member?

     -----------------------------
      Internet and eBay fraud warning
      Safety links & articles
      Laser effects on cameras and camcorders
     -----------------------------
     Are you being harassed by lasers?

     
For laser pointers:
        Safety warning: "DVD Laser Flashlight Hack"

        Laser Pointer Safety website

Inquiries and referrals (find a company, book a show, ask a question)
 

   For all laserists

Become an ILDA Member
ILDA Pro (IAPLC) accreditation

-----------------------------
Laser Safety Officer course
Online Store website
ILDA mailing lists:
      ILDA and Laserist mailing lists
      ILDA BuySell mailing list
-----------------------------
Safety links & articles
Links to related sites

 

 
   For ILDA members

Members-Only pages:
     
How to get a Members-Only password
      -----------------------------
      New Member information
      ILDA Award photos for Members
   
  ILDA logos for Member use
   
  ILDA logo policy
      -----------------------------
   
  Insurance
    
 Insurance & shipping liability
      -----------------------------
     Audience scanning: Measurements and MPE levels

     Audience scanning: Suggested practices
    
U.S. national laser laws and regulations 
     U.S. import laws:

           U.S. laser laws affecting importers
           CDRH-ILDA letters, Nov. 2007
           Discussion of U.S. import laws
      Local laser laws and regulations
      Avoiding damage to cameras and projectors
      -----------------------------
    
 Technical standards
      "Undergraduate Photons" paper
      -----------------------------
    
 ILDA Bylaws
    
 Board meeting minutes:
            2011
            2010    2009

            2008    2007 
            2006 and earlier

      -----------------------------
     ILDA tradeshow reports:
            SIB, April 2008 in Rimini
            Show-way, Feb. 2008, Bergamo
            -----------------------------
            LDI, Nov. 2007, Orlando
            PALME, May 2007, Dubai

Member Management website & Online Store
Password help

Update your listings
----------------------------
Renewals:
      Quick and easy renewal process
      Members who renewed for 2011
     -----------------------------
      Members who renewed for 2010
      Members who renewed for 2009


Membership information:
      Member Management website (renew, conference registration, etc.)
      How to check your Membership status & listings

      How to update your Membership listing
      How to renew your Membership

      How to make payments via PayPal or credit card
      -----------------------------
      Membership FAQ
      Branch office policy
     
Restrictions on Individual & Student Members

Membership benefits:
      Networking
      Membership listings
     
Annual Conference
      ----------------------------
     
Use the ILDA Member logo
     
Enter the ILDA Awards
     
Receive inquiries
      ----------------------------
     
Member Discount Program
 
    Insurance
     -----------------------------
     
Help set standards
    
 Access to ILDA Standards
      -----------------------------
     
Work on committees
     
Ethics Committee
    
 Input to regulatory agencies
     
"Self-help"

Member Discount Program
----------------------------
Ethics and business:
      Code of Ethics
     
Code of Business Practice
     
Code of Bus. Pr. FAQ
      Ethics Complaint Form
       -----------------------------
     
Intellectual property tips

      2010 warning - OpenGL artware piracy

Accreditation & certification programs
      Overview
      Required elements
      "ILDA Professional" IAPLC program

Laser safety basics

 

 

 
   About ILDA

Contact us
Permission to reprint ILDA material
----------------------------
What we do:
     Our mission
     Protecting the industry
     What does it mean that a company is an ILDA Member?
     ILDA's power and limits

     -----------------------------
     Articles by and about ILDA


Board, Executive Director & committees:
     
Board and Executive Director
     
Board duties
      Running and voting for the Board
     
Committees
      Volunteer opportunities
      -----------------------------
      ILDA's power and limits

Our history:
     Founding meeting, 1986
     Founding Members, 1986
  
  ILDA timeline, 1986-present
     -----------------------------
    
List of past ILDA Award winners
    
List of past ILDA Conferences
    
List of past Board members
     -----------------------------
     Current "What's new" page (for this year)
     Past "What's new" pages:
            2010
     2009
            2008    
2007  
            2006

 
 

   The ILDA Conference

Future conferences

Previous conferences:
     -----------------------------
    
2011 Nov., Moscow
          Post-conference report
    
Pre-conference information:
          Overview, registration, attendees

     -----------------------------
     2010 Sept., cruise #2 from Miami
          Tim Walsh's diary
          Attendees
          Pre-conference information:
               Overview and registration
               Reservations and travel
     -----------------------------
      2009 June, Amsterdam
          Overview and photos
          Technology Workshop
           Pre-conference information:
               ILDA Member registration
               Non-member registration
     -----------------------------
    
 2008 Sept., cruise from Miami
            Post-conference report
            Tim Walsh's diary
            Attendees

            Pre-conference information:
                Overview
                Photo preview
                Reservations and getting there
     
          Conference registration
        
       Sponsorship opportunities
                Logo contest (deadline 6/30)
     -----------------------------
      2007 March, Heshan, China:
           About the 2007 Conference
           List of attendees
     
2006 March, Rimini, Italy
     
List of past conferences

About conferences:
      Conferences: A general overview
      Conference hosting guide
 
 

   The ILDA Awards

2011 Award winners

Previous ILDA Award winners

    
List of all artistic & tech winners
     List of all Career Achievement Award winners
     Winners by year:
                                                  2011

         
2010  2009  2008  2007  2006
         
2005  2004  2003  2002  2001
         
2000  1999  1998  1997  1996
         
1995  1994  1993  1992  1991
         
1990  1989  1988     

Awards overview
Judging guidelines

----------------------------
2012 entry forms
2011 entry forms
ILDA Award trophy photos (Members only)

 

   The Laserist magazine