Counterfeit goods are sold around the world, affordable counterfeits made to look like trusted brand name goods. But some anti-piracy activists, also as the Department of Homeland Security, are beginning to get tougher with those who traffic in the bogus goods. However, some of these crusaders also want to focus on the customers who knowingly purchase phony items. Soon, those who do so could face fees and maybe even jail time.
Industry makes a lot of cash
Knock-off phony merchandise, like fake Prada shoes, Gucci bags and Rolex watches, routinely flood flea markets and bargain outlets across the country. In recent years, so-called rogue websites have popped up, and they have been ballooning the unlawful industry into one that, according to Daily Finance, rakes in $650 billion a year globally.
Struggle against it
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's Kristina Montanaro explained that stopping these sites is like playing "Whac-a-Mole" because every time one is found, it disappears and appears as something else. They are extremely difficult to trace and they look like they are the real thing.
Montanaro explained that there are many ways people try to stop the counterfeiters from working, such as blocking them from running credit cards. This is done through charge card issuers and processors, according to Montanaro in her seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: New Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement.
Watch out flea markets
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the nation's flea markets in search of knock-off items. The investigation has led to a series of raids, during which agents have seized fake merchandise worth millions. According to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 70 percent of all brand-name merchandise being sold at these outlets were pirated knock-offs.
Let the public know
A site called DesignsFauxReal.com was just launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to be able to help consumers understand how bad it is to buy fake brand-name things like this. Slogans such as "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase" are put on the website that looks like a rogue site itself.
An enormous risk is being taken when a consumer buys from the websites, according to Montanaro:
"A lot of people don't realize, you're handing your card information over to hardened criminals, so you're at the risk of identity theft."
Avoid legal issues
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it unlawful to buy counterfeit merchandise, just like the laws found in France and Italy. Many people agree with the idea and want the law also. Her plan would make it punishable by a year in prison and $1,000 in fees.
Chin said:
"The bottom line is counterfeiters have to sell to do their job, and we need a law in place that punishes buyers for supporting this illegal trade."
Other cities in the U.S. will most likely pass comparable laws if the New York City law passes soon.
Industry makes a lot of cash
Knock-off phony merchandise, like fake Prada shoes, Gucci bags and Rolex watches, routinely flood flea markets and bargain outlets across the country. In recent years, so-called rogue websites have popped up, and they have been ballooning the unlawful industry into one that, according to Daily Finance, rakes in $650 billion a year globally.
Struggle against it
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's Kristina Montanaro explained that stopping these sites is like playing "Whac-a-Mole" because every time one is found, it disappears and appears as something else. They are extremely difficult to trace and they look like they are the real thing.
Montanaro explained that there are many ways people try to stop the counterfeiters from working, such as blocking them from running credit cards. This is done through charge card issuers and processors, according to Montanaro in her seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: New Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement.
Watch out flea markets
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the nation's flea markets in search of knock-off items. The investigation has led to a series of raids, during which agents have seized fake merchandise worth millions. According to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 70 percent of all brand-name merchandise being sold at these outlets were pirated knock-offs.
Let the public know
A site called DesignsFauxReal.com was just launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to be able to help consumers understand how bad it is to buy fake brand-name things like this. Slogans such as "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase" are put on the website that looks like a rogue site itself.
An enormous risk is being taken when a consumer buys from the websites, according to Montanaro:
"A lot of people don't realize, you're handing your card information over to hardened criminals, so you're at the risk of identity theft."
Avoid legal issues
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it unlawful to buy counterfeit merchandise, just like the laws found in France and Italy. Many people agree with the idea and want the law also. Her plan would make it punishable by a year in prison and $1,000 in fees.
Chin said:
"The bottom line is counterfeiters have to sell to do their job, and we need a law in place that punishes buyers for supporting this illegal trade."
Other cities in the U.S. will most likely pass comparable laws if the New York City law passes soon.
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