What are the guidelines for determining counterfeit submissions?

I have seen several submissions tagged as counterfeit copies. The reason I have been given for the tag is that post 1994 CDs would have a Matrix & Mould code which makes sense. My question though is, if a post 1994 manufactured copy doesn't have theses codes does that automatically make it counterfeit? I have also seen several submissions post 1994 that have either a Matrix code or a Mould code but not both and sometimes these are tagged and sometimes they're not. I find it hard to believe that counterfeiters are mass producing copies of John Hartford - Aereo-Plain, John Hartford - Aereo-Plain but I'm not an expert. Is there any documentation on these counterfeits? Thank you for your time.

There is no “Counterfeit” tag on Discogs, and “Unofficial” ≠ “Counterfeit” so you’ll need to elaborate a bit

Yes sorry. I assumed that unofficial release equated to counterfeit since such submissions have been blocked for sale. So my question should have been, what are the guidelines for determining an unofficial release?

KJB-76
So my question should have been, what are the guidelines for determining an unofficial release?

See RSG §6.15.1+

RSG §6.15.1 covers this topic

Thank you for the quick response. So in my example of the John Hartford submission, the fact that there's no mould code designates this as unofficial? The insert seems to contain the usual copyright information.

KJB-76
post 1994 CDs would have a Matrix & Mould code

This is not entirely true. Different manufacturers rolled out SID codes at different times. Some began with just one code or the other.

However, for the John Hartford CD, the original submitter said he thinks it's Russian, and he's based in Lithuania, and has 5000 items for sale... he probably has seen his share of bootlegs.

I'll tell you what I think. It looks like someone must have gotten a hold of an official mold (a mother or stamper) for a this disc for example), whereas the suspicious disc has silver going further into the center, which looks odd. Also the matrix ring's colors are inverted (dark text on light background, etc.). I am not an expert on Disctronics pressings, so maybe this is a normal variation, but I can see why someone would think it might be a bootleg.

There are no guidelines or strict rules that you can follow to absolutely know for sure when something is a fake, though. It's often just noticing that something doesn't match the usual pattern.