Counterfeits, from clothes to bags to accessories, are everywhere. It is worrying to note that they are often a hit to the public who will opt for a cheaper alternative. This current attitude of consumers towards fakes (also known as replicas, copies or knockoffs) is quite alarming. Though some feel cheated if they unknowingly buy a replica for they only want the real thing, this group is gradually becoming the minority. A large portion of consumers now are apathetic with regards to the genuineness of a product. A growing number even patronize fakes, most probably because they are well crafted to the point that it would take a while before you can even spot the difference. Such is the case, that consumer demand for counterfeits caught international attention and resulted to legal measures to curtail it.
The Counterfeit Effect.
Counterfeiting is estimated to account for over 7% of world trade, and may be as high as 10%. It is a global operation with no respect for international borders. It is increasingly becoming a sophisticated and organized crime. To combat product counterfeiting and piracy, organizations and task groups have been formed.
Buying...