Why are counterfeit factories still legal?

[starz1]

It makes me so that that China, Singapore, and other Asian countries actually allow counterfeit clothing factories to run and then sell their fakes to US & Canadians with no problems bascially. Europe dosent take fakes laying down. Why *edit* wont those countries shut them all down for good, and make them illegal??
I hate it when cheap bummy girls wear Juicy or Primp sets and walk around like its the real thing.

 

[astatine]

(I feel that this shouldn't really be here...could a mod please move this? )

I have a few misgivings about your statement...but let's address the topic at hand first.

Firstly, the reason why counterfeit goods arise is solely due to demand. If luxury brands continually raise their prices, people are eventually going to find cheaper alternatives, and to them, it is all the better if these alternatives look exactly like the real ones. As long as people demand counterfeits, counterfeit factories will exist.

Secondly, it is not as easy as you think, to shut these factories down. China and Russia are both big countries. Raid one branch, and a new one pops up in another city. It is a constant game of cat-and-mouse. Not only that, these factories employ many people. Not many governments, particularly ones with large populations, would be willing to risk social unrest by stamping down on counterfeiting.

Lastly, have you considered why these suppliers turn to counterfeiting? Perhaps they are tired of being paid minimum wage for decades by luxury brands, only to turn around and see these same articles being sold for easily tens of times more.

Perhaps you should read these two articles (here, and here) for further information.

Now about your statement...I find it disturbing that you seem to be pinpointing Asia as the sole proprietor of these counterfeits. Counterfeiting is not limited to Asia. China is in the global limelight at the moment because of its booming economy, and naturally the issue of intellectual property is being brought up, but Asia is definitely not the sole source of counterfeits.

I am Singaporean, and I am able to say proudly that my country is in no way any less lawful than any developed one. We are not awash in counterfeits, nor are we taking the problem lying down. (Neither are we in China, in case anyone wondered ) Therefore I would appreciate if you would research your statements in future first before pointing fingers.
Thank you.

 

[nextnewface]

^ That was a great post. Karma​

 

[marsmars]

I don't like it when those trashtastic people wear them. It's so unelegant. So hideous.

 

[Fabulyss]

I am Singaporean, and I am able to say proudly that my country is in no way any less lawful than any developed one. We are not awash in counterfeits, nor are we taking the problem lying down. (Neither are we in China, in case anyone wondered ) Therefore I would appreciate if you would research your statements in future first before pointing fingers.
Thank you.

I have never been to Asia, so I cannot give an educated opinion on this. I do know however that in America it is a popular, and very well may be false, belief that most counterfeits (particularly fake designer bags) come from that region of the world. Also, Asia has been mentioned as a main culprit in every article I've ever read about the topic. Of course, if you are familiar with the distribution of fakes in both America and Asia, than you would certainly know more than I would !

Also, I'm curious. What are the laws in China against counterfeits?

 

[ultramarine]

Whoa! Starz1 ... try to calm a bit! Do you have stock on LMVH or something?



Anyhow ... please consider that as long as there's a demand (read, those obnoxious girls you see on your town) there will be products and sellers willing to fill the demand! Simple as that!

 

[starz1]

Asia, China, its all the same. I feel exactly the same way about China as I do about countries like Singapore. They dont give a *edit* at all about counterfeiting copyrighted American designs as long as their making money off of other people's work, thats all that matter to them.

 

[yourbestfriend]

Asia, China, its all the same. I feel exactly the same way about China as I do about countries like Singapore. They dont give a *edit* at all about counterfeiting copyrighted American designs as long as their making money off of other people's work, thats all that matter to them.

And where is your background information coming form? You only seem to be coming up with information from yourself to rant on this topic. What you said about China and Singapore being the same is ridiculous and obviously shows a form of ignorance. And as much as everyone else said, as long as there is a demand for the counterfeit goods, they are going to be continued to be produced. Why would anybody make them if no one was going to buy them. It's as simple as that.

 

[marsmars]

The counterfeiters will move to Africa if their Asian factories are removed, they will move to eastern europe-- hell, they might invest in a factory on Antarctica. :-P

And also, weren't there rumors going around that highend designers were producing products in slums, marketing them as, "made in italy"?

 

[Royal-Galliano]

And who says counterfeiters aren't in Western Europe or in U.S.? I wouldn't be surprised...

 

[Avantster]

Asia, China, its all the same.

I'll let that comment speak for itself.

They dont give a *edit* at all about counterfeiting copyrighted American designs as long as their making money off of other people's work, thats all that matter to them.

In China;
1. Shutting down counterfeiters for good is notoriously difficult and costly.

2. Counterfeiters actually avoid social unrest by employing people and paying them wages. For this reason, local law enforcement can be reluctant to shut them down.

2. Where the minimum wage is some twenty times less than the U.S (read, US$0.5/hr) and actual wages can be less than that, and the living standard is an average monthly allowance of US$8 per month, ask yourself - would YOU rather be unemployed, or work in a factory producing counterfeits?

Don't get me wrong. I believe in the protection of intellectual property. But it's not as simple as just shutting them down.

 

[twin star]

at least the Chinese Government is trying to work this issue out. a good start!


from WWD

Published: Thursday, July 06, 2006
Shanghai Counterfeit Haven Closed
By Lisa Movius
SHANGHAI — The infamous Xiangyang Fashion and Gifts Market here has finally closed.

The market, which primarily dealt in counterfeit branded handbags, wallets, apparel, sunglasses and other accessories, ceased business at 9:30 p.m. on June 30. Vendors have until Friday to vacate the premises.

The final days of operation saw the market crammed with last-minute bargain hunters, as vendors slashed prices to unload inventory. While Xiangyang's primary clientele in recent years has been Western tourists, the low prices pre-closure attracted mostly local shoppers. Even policemen, waiting to shut the place down, were busily snapping up merchandise.

The closure marks a major symbolic strike against the piracy of major brands in Shanghai. The outdoor, downtown market was the city's most visible face of the trade in counterfeits. Opened in 2006 after the nearby and similar Huating Market was demolished, Xiangyang contained 800 shops and saw annual sales of 400 million yuan, or $50.1 million, according to Shanghai Daily.

The municipal government and the Chinese press are claiming that Xiangyang's closure represents a significant victory in the battle against piracy. However, the shutdown actually resulted from the landowner's plans to develop the plot, not a harder government stance. Shanghai has dozens of similar apparel markets selling mostly counterfeits, albeit smaller, less central and less known, and many of these are expanding to accommodate former Xiangyang vendors, while several new markets are opening. The bulk of Xiangyang operators said they would move to a market in Longhua, in southern Shanghai, and markets in the western Hongqiao and eastern Pudong areas also ranked high among destinations. Another very central market, at Huaihai and Xizang Roads, is slated to open in September.

As the market in counterfeits shifts locations, soaring rents in Shanghai have made the black market more prevalent, and more and more vendors are opting to eschew shops altogether. Nonexistent a year ago, fake bag sellers now crowd busy sidewalks, subways, overpasses and parks, selling wares out of large canvas satchels.

 

[educo]

I don't like it when those trashtastic people wear them. It's so unelegant. So hideous.

Why do you eveb care if the girl next to you has a real or fake bag? If she can't afford or rather not pay the crazy amount some of the bags are costing these days, why is that your problem? Let her worry (or not) about walking around with a fake bag.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I find them rather amusing myself ... like a "Coach" bag that says OOOOOO instead of CCCCCC

 

[educo]

I wanted to add that I'm not for nor against counterfeit goods. It's the reality of today's economy. Some of these bags are insanely overpriced for no more that 2 yards of leather, snakeskin, whatever. Yes there is a price for cache, but sometimes in instances such as bags, where the trend turnover is so quick, sometimes it's not worth paying so much money for something that will "old" in a matter of months. If you can make back the thousands you pay for those bags before it goes out of style then good for you. But there are some of us who rather put our hard earned thousands in something more substantial. I study fashion design right now and I worry about counterfeit goods. But I have to be realistic, if my designs become popular enough, it's going to get copied. Does that make me happy? No, but the demand is so strong, it's hard to fight against counterfeit market and win. If you can offer something that these counterfeiters can't (like a more reasonable price for the real thing instead of a down payment for a car) then the demand will go dwon because the real items are more accessible to more people.

 

[educo]

^ I find them rather amusing myself ... like a "Coach" bag that says OOOOOO instead of CCCCCC

Yeah, I know!! OOOOOOO!!!

 

[Guessgirl96]

My freind was curious what would happen if you say you walk in to YSL with a fake muse so heasked one of the SAs. They said that as long as the customer brings up their bag first, like asking ifit's real or talking about how much they love it or something like that, and it's obviosly fake, they can destroy it right there. But only if the person brings up their bag first, the SAs cant take bags otherwise.

 

[cric-croc]

My freind was curious what would happen if you say you walk in to YSL with a fake muse so heasked one of the SAs. They said that as long as the customer brings up their bag first, like asking ifit's real or talking about how much they love it or something like that, and it's obviosly fake, they can destroy it right there. But only if the person brings up their bag first, the SAs cant take bags otherwise.

i find this disgraceful; i believe anyone is free to do whatever they want:authentic designer stuff are made in third world countries as well and as long as the label or another small detail is done in fracne,italy... they can then label them as 'made in france/italy'
and i find that to be much more disrespectful and tasteless than carring a fake bag

 

[allegra]

My freind was curious what would happen if you say you walk in to YSL with a fake muse so heasked one of the SAs. They said that as long as the customer brings up their bag first, like asking ifit's real or talking about how much they love it or something like that, and it's obviosly fake, they can destroy it right there. But only if the person brings up their bag first, the SAs cant take bags otherwise.

I don't think that's true - maybe some kind of authority figure (a customs official or a cop) can confiscate something, but I don't think a salesperson could without getting into a lot of trouble.

 

[Guessgirl96]

^ I'm not actually sure if it's true, thats just what the SAs said. Although if the bag says balenciaga or yves saint laurent or whatever on it I think it is copyright infringement so I guess they may be able to take it.