I had the same warning message appear when using “BM” batteries in my R5. I put them on a shelf and didn’t use them for a few months. One day I decided to try them again and so far everything seems to work fine. However in looking at the specs on the BM batteries and and “Powerextra” off-brands, I notice a voltage variance. Canon LP-E6NH batteries show 7.2 volts. The off-brand batteries show 7.4 volts. The .2 volt difference could possibly cause issues, but I’m still using them without any more warnings or problems.

Like many, I've resisted buying spare OEM-branded camera batteries due to their cost compared to 3rd party batteries. I've used 3rd party batteries interchanging them with OEM batteries for years.

During a recent trip to the Tetons my Canon R5 was shooting fine during the day, however when I went to download images in the evening the camera wouldn't turn on. Popped the battery out and charged it about 20-minutes then put it back in. Camera turned on and displayed a message asking if this was a Canon branded battery. Either a Y or N response (with either Canon or non-Canon batteries) resulted in a display of "Battery may be counterfeit, shutting down to protect you". After returning home and preparing to call Canon support, the camera came on and appeared to be working, but then I quickly noticed many of the buttons were not working.

Shipped it to Canon repair (ouch the cost of insuring it with UPS!) and a $496 repair bill later the camera is now working fine again. All 3rd party batteries have been disposed of, and a new $79 Canon battery on order (out of stock and back ordered of course). Fortunately, I now have the R5 and R7 bodies that use the same batteries.

Lesson learned the hard way.

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WHAT A HORROR STORY! i would never buy such a camera body brand if it ever pulled that on me. I have all the major brands represented in my group of digital cameras and have never heard of such a thing. i USE ONLY KASTAR batteries and they hold up as well or better than the OEM batteries. I just bought four more batteries for one of my Sony cameras and they arrived today. The OEM for that camera was rated at 1500mA and the Kastar replacement batter of the same type---2500mA. And that makes quite a difference in the shooting. I keep six batteries for each of my main cameras which are six different bodies in three OEM brands--Sigma, Sony, and Olympus. Not counting the PandSoots in two more brands. It is hard to believe a major company could be so devious. So--do they also demand you buy their memory cards?-----ew

Like many, I've resisted buying spare OEM-branded camera batteries due to their cost compared to 3rd party batteries. I've used 3rd party batteries interchanging them with OEM batteries for years.

During a recent trip to the Tetons my Canon R5 was shooting fine during the day, however when I went to download images in the evening the camera wouldn't turn on. Popped the battery out and charged it about 20-minutes then put it back in. Camera turned on and displayed a message asking if this was a Canon branded battery. Either a Y or N response (with either Canon or non-Canon batteries) resulted in a display of "Battery may be counterfeit, shutting down to protect you". After returning home and preparing to call Canon support, the camera came on and appeared to be working, but then I quickly noticed many of the buttons were not working.

Shipped it to Canon repair (ouch the cost of insuring it with UPS!) and a $496 repair bill later the camera is now working fine again. All 3rd party batteries have been disposed of, and a new $79 Canon battery on order (out of stock and back ordered of course). Fortunately, I now have the R5 and R7 bodies that use the same batteries.

Lesson learned the hard way.

You're right, they don't know who is going to use what batteries. That is why Canon, and no doubt the other manufacturers, will license, probably for a per battery fee, the firmware necessary for their batteries to work with the cameras. Provided the batteries meet Canon's standards and the battery manufacturer is willing to pay the fee. Counterfeiters and cheapos won't pay the fee or even meet the standards. Those are the batteries that are going to have issues. Buy a Wasabi, a Watson, or any of a dozen other good quality 3rd party batteries and they will work. Certification and licensing are common. Companies pay close attention to that because in many cases it cuts down on warranty payouts.