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 a few want to turn that scrutiny on the customers of these items. People who intentionally buy such goods could end up behind bars if lawmakers are successful.
Industry makes a ton of cash
Knock-off counterfeit merchandise, like fake Prada shoes, Gucci bags and Rolex watches, routinely flood flea markets and bargain outlets across the nation. 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.
Just like 'Whac-a-Mole'
These rogue online websites, themselves counterfeits, look like the real thing and are very difficult to trace. When one is closed down, another pops up quickly; a phenomenon that Kristina Montanaro, of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, likens to the arcade game "Whac-a-Mole."
In her recent seminar entitled "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement," Montanaro discussed a few of the new ways getting used to track down and stop counterfeiters. For one such measure, the group is working with credit card issuers and processors to block rogue sites, once detected, from being able to run charge cards.
Flea markets being checked
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, nation's flea markets have been raided a lot recently leading to millions of dollars in merchandise being taken. About 70 percent of all merchandise that claimed to be name brand was not real in these areas. The raids have found a lot of knock-offs being sold.
How about the general public
A website called DesignsFauxReal.com was just launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition in order to help customers understand how bad it is to purchase fake brand-name things like this. Slogans such as "The timeless gift of charge card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase" are put on the site that looks like a rogue website itself.
Montanaro explained that purchasing from the websites could be dangerous. She said:
"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."
Unlawful act
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it unlawful to buy bogus merchandise, just like the laws found in France and Italy. A number 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 fines.
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 might be just the start in the States. Other state will probably follow suit.
Industry makes a ton of cash
Knock-off counterfeit merchandise, like fake Prada shoes, Gucci bags and Rolex watches, routinely flood flea markets and bargain outlets across the nation. 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.
Just like 'Whac-a-Mole'
These rogue online websites, themselves counterfeits, look like the real thing and are very difficult to trace. When one is closed down, another pops up quickly; a phenomenon that Kristina Montanaro, of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, likens to the arcade game "Whac-a-Mole."
In her recent seminar entitled "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement," Montanaro discussed a few of the new ways getting used to track down and stop counterfeiters. For one such measure, the group is working with credit card issuers and processors to block rogue sites, once detected, from being able to run charge cards.
Flea markets being checked
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, nation's flea markets have been raided a lot recently leading to millions of dollars in merchandise being taken. About 70 percent of all merchandise that claimed to be name brand was not real in these areas. The raids have found a lot of knock-offs being sold.
How about the general public
A website called DesignsFauxReal.com was just launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition in order to help customers understand how bad it is to purchase fake brand-name things like this. Slogans such as "The timeless gift of charge card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase" are put on the site that looks like a rogue website itself.
Montanaro explained that purchasing from the websites could be dangerous. She said:
"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."
Unlawful act
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it unlawful to buy bogus merchandise, just like the laws found in France and Italy. A number 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 fines.
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 might be just the start in the States. Other state will probably follow suit.
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