Counterfeiting is a global problem that has been detrimental (even devastating) to man, yet strangely beneficial to others. Yet when many think about counterfeiting, they see it as a group of villains producing and selling fake purses, DVDs, medicine, and even car parts. Many do not know how pervasive and complex the problem is beyond the usual suspects of fake goods. To illustrate that, we are highlighting eight facts about counterfeiting
Facts about Counterfeiting
1 There’s a counterfeit Disneyland
The “Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park” opened its doors in 1986 with the tagline: “Disneyland is too far.” With very similar structures and offerings to Disneyland, the park faced some legal issues with copyright infringement. Despite the battle, its popularity has allowed them to expand their amusement park over the years.
2 It’s not just Disneyland, it’s entire cities
China has made incredible strides to replicate famous cities around the world, even hiring architects from . From Paris to Manhattan, counterfeiting has never seemed so physically large-scale than this. Source: Business Insider
3 More is not better than less
Counterfeit medicines are criticized for not containing enough or any of an active ingredient (the piece that makes medicines work). But sometimes the opposite issue occurs. In 2009 in China, an Anti-diabetic traditional medicine, which was used to lower blood sugar, was found to contain six times the normal dose of glibenclamide. As a result of this, two people died and nine people were hospitalized. Source: SciDev.net
4 Counterfeiting happens in the U.S. too
Developing markets around the world are often the target for counterfeiting; limited governmental oversight and resources make counterfeiting a very prevalent issue in many of these countries. But many don’t realize that no place in the world is immune to fakes. In the United States in 2014, 75,836 cases were reported to the U.S. Sentencing Commission and of these cases, 478 involved counterfeiting. Think it’s not a problem? Think again. Source: United States Sentencing Commission
5 Even legitimate brands copy
Between 2011 and 2012, famed luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin won a legal battle against luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent over the trademark of its red-soled shoes. Going forward, any shoemaker that desires to paint red on the soles of their shoes has to pay permission rights to Christian Louboutin. Source: Cnbc
6 Fake medicines in India is a massive problem
Many high quality medicines come from India, who is the world’s largest manufacturer of generic drugs. That esteemed title also makes it a hotbed for counterfeiting. “[The country] may have as much as 12 percent to 25 percent of their supply contaminated with substandard and counterfeit medicines, and up to 40% of the drug supply in some African nations may contain counterfeits.” Source: lilly.com
7 Buying counterfeits supports bad people
Fake products are not just bad because they can harm you, but they can fuel larger organizations whose profits go toward dangerous causes. “Recovered Al Qaida terrorist training manuals revealed that the organization recommends the sale of fake goods as one means to raise funds to support terrorist operations. John von Radowitz, Fake Internet Goods ‘Linked to Terrorists’, Press Association, June 25, 2002. This same article noted that Hezbollah traffics in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. John von Radowitz, Fake Internet Goods ‘Linked to Terrorists’, Press Association, June 25, 2002.” Source: Facts on Fakes
8 You can even fake history
Museums, the History Channel and the National Geographic Channel have done a great job educating us about our history, fossils, living and extinct animals, and entire ancient civilizations and ways of life. Archaeologists work hard to uncover precious and rare fossils, but their work was undermined by the black market. In 1970, the Chinese fossil market took off and the artifacts were sold country-wide until they ran out. They then decided that making their own fossils could be a lucrative business. Today, China is the biggest counterfeit supplier of fossils in the world. The picture below shows a fake rat fossil made from calcified fish. Source: Cracked.com
Do you have any interesting counterfeit stories to share? Leave a comment below.
