Phony items are sold all over the world, inexpensive knock offs made to look like trusted brand name goods. But some anti-piracy activists, also as the Department of Homeland Security, are beginning to get tougher with those who traffic in the bogus goods. However, some of these crusaders also want to target the consumers who knowingly buy fake items. In the near future, those who do so could face fines and maybe even jail time.
A $650 billion industry
It is illegal to sell knock-off bogus merchandise, and the sector has grown to be a $650 billion a year sector, according to Daily Finance. A lot of rogue websites are appearing that sell face Rolex, Gucci and Prada.
Big battle being fought
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's Kristina Montanaro explained that stopping these websites is like playing "Whac-a-Mole" because every time one is found, it disappears and appears as something else. They are extremely difficult to trace and they look like they are the real thing.
In her recent seminar entitled "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement," Montanaro discussed some of the new ways getting used to find and stop counterfeiters. For one such measure, the group is working with charge card issuers and processors to block rogue online websites, once detected, from being able to run credit cards.
Dealing with Homeland Security
About 70 percent of brand-name merchandise includes knock-offs at flea markets, according to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The department has been going to flea markets recently to bust people for selling the knock-off items. Millions in merchandise has been taken through a lot of raids.
Telling the public about it
In an effort to educate consumers to the seriousness of knowingly purchasing inexpensive brand-name clones, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition has launched a site called DesignsFauxReal.com. The tongue-in-cheek site looks like a knock-off rogue site, but couples its images of alluring merchandise with slogans like, "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase."
Montanaro said that consumers purchasing from these websites are taking a fantastic personal risk:
"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."
Get in trouble with the law
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it illegal to purchase bogus 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 fines.
Chin explained:
"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."
If the New York City bill passes into law, it can only be a matter of time before other cities draft similar bills.
A $650 billion industry
It is illegal to sell knock-off bogus merchandise, and the sector has grown to be a $650 billion a year sector, according to Daily Finance. A lot of rogue websites are appearing that sell face Rolex, Gucci and Prada.
Big battle being fought
International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's Kristina Montanaro explained that stopping these websites is like playing "Whac-a-Mole" because every time one is found, it disappears and appears as something else. They are extremely difficult to trace and they look like they are the real thing.
In her recent seminar entitled "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement," Montanaro discussed some of the new ways getting used to find and stop counterfeiters. For one such measure, the group is working with charge card issuers and processors to block rogue online websites, once detected, from being able to run credit cards.
Dealing with Homeland Security
About 70 percent of brand-name merchandise includes knock-offs at flea markets, according to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The department has been going to flea markets recently to bust people for selling the knock-off items. Millions in merchandise has been taken through a lot of raids.
Telling the public about it
In an effort to educate consumers to the seriousness of knowingly purchasing inexpensive brand-name clones, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition has launched a site called DesignsFauxReal.com. The tongue-in-cheek site looks like a knock-off rogue site, but couples its images of alluring merchandise with slogans like, "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase."
Montanaro said that consumers purchasing from these websites are taking a fantastic personal risk:
"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."
Get in trouble with the law
Margaret Chin is a New York City Councilwomen who hopes to pass legislation making it illegal to purchase bogus 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 fines.
Chin explained:
"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."
If the New York City bill passes into law, it can only be a matter of time before other cities draft similar bills.
About the Author:
How many times have you wanted more information on the best way to find a instant pay day loan, and resorted to an online search on "payday loan consolidation?" Look no further, all of the info you'll need is at Match Financial!
No comments:
Post a Comment