DODGY BUSINESS

I'm sure we have all come across the "dodgy dude" following us around with a huge sack of pirated DVD's or CD's. Or even the well dressed man with the "gift of the gab" who opens up his jacket to show a variety of different Rolexes. Indeed, it must be admitted these amusing encounters tend to happen on holiday. A time where many women are guilty of purchasing the fake Gucci or Prada handbag that looks all too real. That is, until we are back home and the zip suddenly looks a little too flimsy or we notice a tragic spelling misdemeanour.

Well as a means to avoid this temptation, here's an insight into a law adopted not too long ago by many European countries trying to keep legitimate companies intact. If one is caught with a fake good, especially a handbag, then the good will be confiscated and destroyed. Infront of your very own eyes. Ripped, shredded and chucked. Italy's finest skill. Well, aside from football.

FAKE GOODS TEMPTING YOUNG ADULTS

A survey has found almost half of young adults in the UK own pirated or counterfeit goods. Software watchdog, the Business Software Alliance, found that the younger adults are, the more likely they are to own and use pirated goods.

Only 17% of the over-50s own pirated goods compared to 44% of those between 18 and 29 years.

The net, cheap CD burners and traders selling fake products were blamed for making it easy to get pirated goods.

The most popular pirated possessions were software, CDs and DVDs. The BSA said that the research revealed a growing disrespect for copyright and the forming of a "pirate generation" that saw buying and using counterfeit goods as justified.

"What was particularly shocking was that it did seem to pick out the younger generation as the ones who were actively into and accepting of piracy," said a BSA spokesman.

He said acceptance of counterfeit goods extended beyond software as many young people were happy to buy and wear fake designer clothes or accessories. "That they do this shows that people value the lifestyle these brands offer," he said, "but they are living a life they cannot afford."

"We need to dispel the myth that counterfeiting and piracy are victimless small-scale crimes," said Bryan Lewin, lead officer for counterfeiting at the Trading Standards Institute. He said often counterfeit goods were made by organised criminal gangs who use the practice to launder money or to fund other crimes.

The survey suggests that education can do more to stem the popularity of pirated goods. Some 85% of those questioned said they would be less likely to buy pirated goods if they knew the range of crimes, such as drug smuggling and human trafficking they were potentially funding.

Almost half of those questioned, 45%, said fines equal to double the value of the pirated goods they bought were needed to stop them buying them.

Another way for the government to suck money.... it's a surprise the law has yet to be introduced.

SOAP THAT'S NOT REALLY SOAP

It seems that China is not only renowned for its ‘expertise’ in assembling together designer handbags and clothes, but also toiletries. Even the British soap brand ‘Lux’ has been caught in the midst of this counterfeit trade. Over 1,200 bars of the fake soap imported from China were discovered with the British Unilever PLC company trademark logo that owns 'Lux'. The total value of the soap was said to be approximately $24,054. A spokesperson for Unilever said: "We are very concerned about counterfeit products because not only do they affect the local economy but they also can pose serious health and safety issues to our consumers.” Customs and Trade Administration made the seizure on the Chinese port Guangdong. EU figures show that 54% of fakes seized in 2004 originated in China. It can be said, that although the Far East are pros in production, they do seem to have a knack for getting caught.

ANN KEEN RESPONDS

I must say, the unexpected has indeed happened. There I went mouthing off my local MP, and soon enough I receieve a reply to my queries... It is funny how some online commotion can lift eyebrows.

Well, Ann Keen responded to me by telling me that she has made the Minister for Trade, Investement and Foreign Affairs aware of the concerns I raised. She also said that she would write to me again, once she has recieved a reply. Well lets wait and see.

COUNTERFEIT MARKET NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Not so long ago in my local area of Hounslow, I heard of a bunch of counterfeit items being seized. Oddly enough, they were condoms (some what of a health hazard.) This led me to probe into the life of my local MP Ann Keen. Unsurprisingly, there was no mention of counterfeit items on her agenda. But why is this so? I acknowledge that Ann obviously has more important things to worry about…smoking bans, ID cards and hunting. However, legitimate businesses are losing money and as the counterfeit business trade flourishes it is contributing to unemployment. As far-fetched as it seems, 4,000 people were in fact put out of work in Britain because of the trade in 2006. Furthermore, the figure rises to 400,000 on a worldwide front. Moreover, fake goods cost the British economy £11 billion last year. Additionally, the existence of the counterfeit market means the treasury loses money which in turn leads to less funding for schools and hospitals- the exact social issues Ms Keen appears to take a great interest in.

Being a firm believer in the thought that everything starts in your own back garden, I emailed Ann as my local MP asking her about the subject. I still have no reply and do not count on it. Statistics show that Ms Keen replies within 2 or 3 weeks to only 29% – 54% of messages (well bellow the average for MPs.)

The revelations on the local front then led me on to a wider subject: the discussion of counterfeit goods in parliament. The findings? Abysmal. Looks like there is much work to do.

ANTIQUES... FRESHLY MADE

Counterfeit goods aren’t only limited to the usual designer clobber or terribly pirated DVDs available. In fact, it seems that in China, even antiques are following the trend.

Only five percent of The Nanjing Ancient Relics Market actually consists of true antique items. A market seller was even sent to prison for selling fake ancient coins. He sold 110 counterfeit coins at 400 Yuan each. Ironically, he pleaded not guilty of deceit due to the unspoken Chinese rule of trading antiques whereby it is the buyer’s initiative that should determine authenticity.

In China the making of fake ancient goods is a booming business. Professional craftsmen are even hired to make artificial works appear vintage. Moreover, technological advances in ways of printing and chemical usage are contributing to the ‘real’ look. Some of these experts even raise mice and bugs to bite on scrolls to add to the authentic look. Needless to say, some of these tactics are hitting collectors’ pockets quite badly. In fact, one fake painting that was auctioned for 1,500 Yuan was exhibited two days later at the starting price of 25,000 Yuan. Scandal in antiques I tell you.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-02/27/content_814924.htm

A LINK BETWEEN FAKE GOODS AND TERRORISM?

Browsing through the net (as we all do when we are not supposed to) something rather intriguing caught my eye. The International Herald Tribune recently published an article that stuck out like a thorn.

Could it really be possible that counterfeit goods fund terrorism? Is it possible that the pirated DVDs we oh so blindly purchase from shady characters actually lead to violence? Well, this article certainly opens our eyes. For example it says: “The group accused of the Madrid train bombings in 2004, which killed 191 people, had used proceeds from the sale of pirated CDs to fund their activities. The U.S. authorities have also said that another group sells counterfeit goods, including fake Viagra, to support Hezbollah, the militant group in Lebanon.”

Food for thought indeed.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/12/business/fake.php