Anti-counterfeiting activists, as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are getting tough on those who traffic in bogus merchandise that pretends to be from a trusted brand-name. But now some want to turn that scrutiny on the consumers of these items. People who intentionally buy such goods could end up behind bars if lawmakers are effective.
Makes $650 billion yearly
Not only are there flea markets all across the country that sell knock-off phony merchandise, but rogue websites have started to appear in recent years. The $650 billion a year industry has grown quite a bit, according to Daily Finance. You can get Prada, Gucci and Rolex virtually anywhere now in a fake form.
Struggle against it
The online websites are not easy to trace and pop up all over the place. Every time one is closed down, another pops up. Kristina Montanaro of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition explained that attempting to stop the websites is just like playing "Whac-a-Mole" as the sites disappear and show up over and over. They look just like the real deal too.
Montanaro gave a seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement." The seminar explained that charge card issuers and processors are working to stop the websites. They stop the websites from running charge cards when one is detected. Montanaro also discusses different ways that are getting used to track the counterfeiters down.
Watch out flea markets
In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the country's flea markets in search of knock-off items. The probe 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.
Getting awareness out
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 site that looks like a rogue site itself.
An enormous risk is being taken when a consumer buys from the sites, 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."
Not legal
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. Lots of people agree with the idea and want the law as well. Her plan would make it punishable by a year in prison and $1,000 in fees.
According to Chin:
"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."
The New York City bill may be just the start in the States. Other state will probably follow suit.
Makes $650 billion yearly
Not only are there flea markets all across the country that sell knock-off phony merchandise, but rogue websites have started to appear in recent years. The $650 billion a year industry has grown quite a bit, according to Daily Finance. You can get Prada, Gucci and Rolex virtually anywhere now in a fake form.
Struggle against it
The online websites are not easy to trace and pop up all over the place. Every time one is closed down, another pops up. Kristina Montanaro of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition explained that attempting to stop the websites is just like playing "Whac-a-Mole" as the sites disappear and show up over and over. They look just like the real deal too.
Montanaro gave a seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement." The seminar explained that charge card issuers and processors are working to stop the websites. They stop the websites from running charge cards when one is detected. Montanaro also discusses different ways that are getting used to track the counterfeiters down.
Watch out flea markets
In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the country's flea markets in search of knock-off items. The probe 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.
Getting awareness out
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 site that looks like a rogue site itself.
An enormous risk is being taken when a consumer buys from the sites, 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."
Not legal
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. Lots of people agree with the idea and want the law as well. Her plan would make it punishable by a year in prison and $1,000 in fees.
According to Chin:
"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."
The New York City bill may be just the start in the States. Other state will probably follow suit.
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