| Time and time again, there is a crooked vendor | | | | knockoffs threatens the livelihoods of the people |
| on the auction powerhouse that is peddling | | | | who worked the assembly line to put together |
| counterfeit products and passing them off for the | | | | the product that the manufacturers are selling. So |
| real thing. This is a growing problem for | | | | by purchasing such fake goods you can ultimately |
| unsuspecting buyers who shell out tons of money | | | | cost somebody their job. |
| a year for products that turn out to be a fake. | | | | What are the most commonly counterfeited |
| When you are shopping on the internet, beware | | | | products? |
| of what you are buying since you may not be | | | | • Car parts |
| getting what you paid for. | | | | • Airplane parts |
| Product counterfeiting is big business. Just about | | | | • Baby formula |
| every product you can think of is being | | | | • Toys |
| counterfeited from Rubik's cubes to Louis Vuitton | | | | • Purses |
| wallets. DVD's, designer watches, and software | | | | • Shampoo |
| are among the most counterfeited items. | | | | • Sunglasses |
| Sometimes, it can be obvious to the buyer if the | | | | • Movies |
| product is counterfeit especially if the seller wants | | | | • Medical devices |
| to offer you a Rolex for only $30. You can | | | | • Consumer drugs and medicines |
| assume that it is fake or stolen. Authentic Gucci | | | | • Food products |
| handbags sell for over $1000 each. If somebody | | | | • Apparel |
| wants to let it go and sell it to you for only $80, | | | | • Jewelry |
| it is counterfeit. If a street vendor is peddling a | | | | • Cosmetics |
| movie that is still showing in theaters, it is pirated. | | | | • Software |
| What about those same products on the | | | | • Music |
| internet? | | | | • Etc. |
| The same principle applies. Be cautious of prices | | | | People have been known to be apprehended for |
| that seem too good to be true. It is likely that | | | | buying, selling, or possessing counterfeit products. |
| these products are counterfeit products. If they | | | | In July, 2006, Austin police arrested four vendors |
| are legitimate, then they are stolen. | | | | for selling counterfeit DVD's, CD's, and movies |
| There are some buyers who do not mind buying | | | | during a raid of a flea market in Austin, Texas. |
| counterfeited items. However, most of the time, | | | | The raid netted approximately 1,700 counterfeit |
| the quality of counterfeited items is usually very | | | | items. |
| poor. The DVD movie that you bought at the flea | | | | According to the Austin Police Department, Austin |
| market is so grainy that it is impossible to view. | | | | is a top hotspot for the pirating business. |
| That Bulova watch that you bought from a | | | | You worked hard for your money. If you want |
| street vendor will usually rust before the battery | | | | good, quality products, then be sure that what |
| needs changing. | | | | you are paying for is the real thing and not some |
| Who does counterfeit products affect? | | | | cheap clone. By heeding this advice, we can put a |
| Whenever you purchase counterfeit products, the | | | | stop to the crime of product counterfeiting. |
| real manufacturers lose sales. Buying cheap | | | | |