Counterfeiting: Why Consumers Should Never Buy Fake Goods

Hello Everyone!

Welcome Back! Today I am not going to discuss the law as much but I want to bring to your attention the crime and economics behind Counterfeit goods. I read a very informed and interesting article in the January 09 issue of Harper's Bazaar Magazine about the Counterfeiting Industry. Harper's Bazaar spearheaded the "Fakes Are Never In Fashion" campaign in 2005 to inform the public about the atrocities of the Counterfeit Trade. Every January, the magazine publishes an article about counterfeiting. Here are some very amazing numbers provided by Harper's Bazaar:

$600 Billion
Estimated annual sales in counterfeit products worldwide

$512 Billion
Global sales lost to counterfeit goods

$250 Billion
Annual loss to American companies from intellectual property theft

$20 Billion
Estimated loss to American companies from counterfeit products

$1 Billion
Estimated annual loss in New York City tax revenues due to counterfeiting

750,000
Number of jobs lost due to intellectual property theft in the United States

10%
Estimated percentage of fakes among all goods produced worldwide every year

As you can see these are pretty staggering numbers. However, I was more appalled by the use of child labor in Thailand and China to produce counterfeit goods. As reported in the January 09 Issue of Harper's Bazaar Magazine, children as young as 6 years old work around the clock in sweat shops producing fake goods. The children are often dirty and underfed. In one raided Thailand sweat shop, the owner had broken the lower legs of elementary age children and tied them to their thighs so the children legs would not heal. When asked why he committed such a horrific act, he said "because the children wanted to go outside and play." I nearly cried.

Besides the obvious legal reason why we should not buy Counterfeit goods,(federal crime, trademark infringement, and brand dilution) we all should detest the mistreatment and cruelty to children in producing these "fake" goods. In today's culture we all want to own luxury for less. Instead of saving or waiting until we can afford these goods, we will purchase a $50 "fake" Louis Vuitton handbag on the street. Purchasing counterfeit goods is stealing from those companies who have investing considerable effort and time in building a recognized and respected brand. It is also supporting human trafficking, child abuse, and child labor.

Please visit Fakes Are Never In Fashion.com to learn more about what we can do as consumers to stop Counterfeiting.

Note: Counterfeiting Facts in this post are credited to Harper Bazaar Magazine: January 09 Issue