On this page on Arduino's website, it states
"HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE USING IT [Arduino Software] TO PROGRAM THEIR DEVICES, INCLUDING COMPATIBLES, CLONES, AND EVEN COUNTERFEIT." (Emphasis Added)
With open source electronics, what is the difference between a clone, and a counterfeit?
This is not gospel, but here is what those terms are generally used to indicate (as I understand it):
compatible: a dev board which is compatible with the Arduino IDE/toolchain. The Arduino UNO uses an ATmega328 MCU, while other platforms may use different MCUs i.e. there are multiple MCUs that are compatible with the Arduino IDE. It may or may not have the same form factor. Keep in mind that this term can also be used for shields, "Arduino-compatible" shields are add-on boards that are meant to mate with an Arduino. The Sparkfun RedBoard is an example.
clone: a dev board which has the same (or very similar) circuitry as an Arduino and the same physical board/layout. They are branded differently, but are, for all intents and purposes, exactly the same as a real Arduino. These boards are permitted under the open-source licensing of the Arduino design. An Freeduino might be an example.
counterfeit: a dev board which is identical to an original Arduino, and is branded and sold as an original Arduino. As I understand it, the open-source licensing does not permit this, however, this does not deter the flood of shops churning out counterfeit Arduinos. A search on eBay or Aliexpress will turn up loads of examples; note the Arduino guide to spotting counterfeits, in general, the silkscreen is blue and the quality of assembly is not quite as good.
The difference between "compatible" and "clone" is a bit blurry, but it's not really important. The main difference between counterfeit and non-counterfeit is that counterfeit Arduinos are boards that are not sold by Arduino but are branded as such.
With open source electronics, what is the difference between a clone, and a counterfeit?
Counterfeit: the vendor says/implies that the Arduino board is produced by Arduino/Genuino, an "original", but it is not. The screen-print is the same, but looking closer at the components and PCB there are some differences. You think you can turn to Arduino/Genuino for product support but you cannot.
Clone: the vendor states that the board is a "compatible copy", uses all the open-source bill-of-material, schematics, etc, (or slightly changed for cheaper components) when produced, and it is obviously not produced by Arduino/Genuino. You know that you cannot turn to Arduino/Genuino for product support.
The punishment for selling and buying (!!) counterfeit fashion in Italy is very severe.
Counterfeiting is a trademark violation issue.
Cheers!
