Anti-counterfeiting activists, also as the United States Department of Homeland Security, are getting hard on those who traffic in counterfeit merchandise that pretends to be from a trusted brand-name. But now a few want to turn that scrutiny on the consumers of these items. People who knowingly purchase such goods could end up behind bars if lawmakers are successful.
A ton of cash in the industry
It is unlawful to sell knock-off counterfeit merchandise, and the industry has grown to be a $650 billion a year sector, according to Daily Finance. A ton of rogue websites are appearing that sell face Rolex, Gucci and Prada.
Just like 'Whac-a-Mole'
These rogue sites, themselves counterfeits, look like the real thing and are tough to trace. When one is closed down, another pops up immediately; a phenomenon that Kristina Montanaro, of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, likens to the arcade game "Whac-a-Mole."
Montanaro gave a seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement." The seminar explained that credit card issuers and processors are working to stop the online websites. They stop the sites from running credit cards when one is detected. Montanaro also discusses different ways that are getting used to track the counterfeiters down.
Working with Homeland Security
In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the nation's flea markets in search of knock-off goods. The investigation has led to a series of raids, during which agents have seized fake merchandise worth millions. According to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 70 percent of all brand-name merchandise being sold at these outlets were pirated knock-offs.
Getting awareness out
A brand new site named DesignsFauxReal.com is meant to show how significant it can be to buy fake stuff with brand names on it. The site looks like a rogue site but actually has slogans such as "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase," on it. The website was launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to show the dangers of it.
Montanaro explained that buying from the websites can be dangerous. She said:
"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."
Not legal
Many people in the United States hope to see laws against purchasing counterfeit merchandise. It is against the law to do in Italy and France already. Purchasing it in New York City might be punishable in fines up to $1,000 and a year in prison soon too due to legislation proposed by City Councilwomen Margaret Chin.
According to Chin:
"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."
The New York City bill may be just the start in the States. Other state will most likely follow suit.
A ton of cash in the industry
It is unlawful to sell knock-off counterfeit merchandise, and the industry has grown to be a $650 billion a year sector, according to Daily Finance. A ton of rogue websites are appearing that sell face Rolex, Gucci and Prada.
Just like 'Whac-a-Mole'
These rogue sites, themselves counterfeits, look like the real thing and are tough to trace. When one is closed down, another pops up immediately; a phenomenon that Kristina Montanaro, of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, likens to the arcade game "Whac-a-Mole."
Montanaro gave a seminar called "Beyond Whac-a-Mole: Brand new Initiatives in Intellectual Property Enforcement." The seminar explained that credit card issuers and processors are working to stop the online websites. They stop the sites from running credit cards when one is detected. Montanaro also discusses different ways that are getting used to track the counterfeiters down.
Working with Homeland Security
In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is making a sweep of the nation's flea markets in search of knock-off goods. The investigation has led to a series of raids, during which agents have seized fake merchandise worth millions. According to the Department of Homeland Security, almost 70 percent of all brand-name merchandise being sold at these outlets were pirated knock-offs.
Getting awareness out
A brand new site named DesignsFauxReal.com is meant to show how significant it can be to buy fake stuff with brand names on it. The site looks like a rogue site but actually has slogans such as "The timeless gift of credit card fraud," and "Free identity theft with every purchase," on it. The website was launched by the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to show the dangers of it.
Montanaro explained that buying from the websites can be dangerous. She said:
"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."
Not legal
Many people in the United States hope to see laws against purchasing counterfeit merchandise. It is against the law to do in Italy and France already. Purchasing it in New York City might be punishable in fines up to $1,000 and a year in prison soon too due to legislation proposed by City Councilwomen Margaret Chin.
According to Chin:
"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."
The New York City bill may be just the start in the States. Other state will most likely follow suit.
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