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The Stop Online Piracy Act, What is SOPA and how does it work?

2012-01-12T13:55:00.001Z

Net founders fight piracy law with 'censorship' claim

The founders of Google, Twitter and eBay have signed a strongly worded letter criticising controversial US legislation ahead of a debate in Congress.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (Sopa) aims to slash the amount of pirated content on the internet.

But signatories including Google co-founder Sergey Brin claim it amounts to China-style censorship.

Film studios are stepping up efforts to combat piracy

The bill has the backing of Hollywood and the music industry.

Blocking access

Sopa was introduced by Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, who said the legislation was designed to "stop the flow of revenue to rogue websites... that profit from selling pirated goods without any legal consequences".

It would give content owners and the US government the power to request court orders to shut down websites associated with piracy.

Sopa aims to stop online ad networks and payment processors from doing business with foreign websites accused of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement.

It could stop search engines from linking to the allegedly infringing sites. Domain name registrars could be forced to take down the websites, and internet service providers could be forced to block access to the sites accused of infringing.

A similar law, the Protect IP Act, is making its way through the US Senate.

Critics argue that the proposals are too broad and could lead to the closure of a range of sites.

'Due process'

The latest letter, published in several US newspapers including the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and the New York Times, reads: "We've all had the good fortune to found internet companies and non-profits in a regulatory climate that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, the creation of content and free expression online.

"However we're worried that the Protect IP Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act - which started out as well-meaning efforts to control piracy online - will undermine that framework."

The letter said that the legislation would require web services to monitor what users link to or upload.

The bill would also "deny website owners the right to due process" and "give the US government the power to censor the web using techniques similar to those used by China, Malaysia and Iran", the letter goes on.

"We urge Congress to think hard before changing the regulation that underpins the internet... Let's not deny the next generation of entrepreneurs and founders the same opportunities that we all had."

The letter was signed by Twitter co-founders Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams; Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake; Yahoo! co-founders David Filo and Jerry Yang; LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman; YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley; PayPal co-founder Elon Musk; Craigslist founder Craig Newmark; eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

Another appeal, signed by 83 key internet engineers including father of the internet Vint Cerf, has also been sent to Congress.

"We cannot have a free and open internet unless its naming and routing systems sit above the political concerns and objectives of any one government or industry," it reads.

"Censorship of internet infrastructure will inevitably cause network errors and security problems. This is true in China, Iran and other countries that censor the network today; it will be just as true of American censorship."

UK copyright

A group of US politicians is proposing an alternative to Sopa that would see funding cut off to foreign websites accused of copyright infringements in a similar way to how the US ended Wikileaks' commercial operation.

Yorkshire Police counterfeit CD/DVD's

They argue that the International Trade Commission (ITC) should take charge of combating piracy, instead of judges. The ITC would be tasked with reviewing claims of online infringement against foreign website owners, ordering them cut off from funding if the claims prove true.

While the US moves to tighten its copyright laws, the UK is aiming to relax its own.

The Intellectual Property Office has launched a consultation exercise intended, among other things, to allow the ripping of CDs to digital music players.

It follows recommendations from Professor Ian Hargreaves in his review of intellectual property.

Other plans include allowing data mining of scientific research for non-commercial use and a licensing scheme to make it easier for digital services to gain access to copyrighted works. It also proposes relaxing copyright rules around "parody" videos which are increasingly popular on YouTube.

The move was welcomed by the British Library and watchdog Consumer Focus, but The Publishers' Association said it was concerned that the relaxation could make intellectual property theft easier.

via BBC_UK & http://www.luxuryonlinestore.net

Louis Vuitton Sues San Antonio Flea Market

2012-01-11T23:12:00.000Z

Louis Vuitton HQ

Opening arguments began this week in a lawsuit filed by luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton against San Antonio’s Eisenhauer flea market. The French company says the flea market allowed vendors to sell counterfeit products and is seeking $18 million.

Louis Vuitton’s lawyer said in opening arguments that the company sent representatives to the Eisenhauer Market and found as many as 15 vendors selling fake Louis Vuitton products, the San Antonio Express-News reports.

A lawyer for the market said its on-site manager was not trained to recognized counterfeit items.

A statement issued by Louis Vuitton last year and posted on San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI’s website says the company has been fighting counterfeiting around the world for years.

The Eisenhauer flea market in San Antonio

Photo by Jon Mallard http://www.flickr.com/photos/mallard10/

“Thanks to this fully-dedicated team of lawyers and former law enforcement professionals based in Paris with regional offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Milan, Dubai, New York and Buenos Aires, thousands of anti-counterfeiting raids are performed each year,” the company says in the statement.

The lawsuit was originally filed in February 2011. A commenter on the blog Strange in San Antonio said he had purchased a fake bag from the market, and the quality was questionable.

“The stitching started to let go after a few months and it ended up looking pretty ratty after a year,” Keith Allen K posted.

Louis Vuitton is also embroiled in a legal dispute with Warner Brothers over the appearance of fake handbags in the movie Hangover Part II, see Delortae Agency's according MiMi's Blog.

And just last week in Orlando, police arrested a couple and accused them of selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton bags at a flea market, along with other fake designer brands, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

via KutNew & http://www.luxuyonlinestore.net

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Couple charged with selling millions in fake Coach, Louis Vuitton purses

2012-01-10T13:19:00.001Z

Undercover detectives surveilled Xiaolin Ma and Xiao Qu's flea market business for weeks before finding the trove of phoney merchandise.

Xiao Fang Qu, 44, and Xiaolin Ma, 47, are accused of running a mulit-million dollar counterfeit merchandise business out of a Pine Hills flea market, police said. (Orlando Police, Orlando Police /

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel

3:27 p.m. EST, January 6, 2012

An Orlando couple is accused of running a multi-million dollar counterfeit merchandise business that sold thousands of phony brand-name purses, wallets and other items out of a Pine Hills flea market, police said.

Xiaolin Ma and Xiao Fang Qu, both of Windermere, were arrested Thursday at their store, the Lucky Gifts shop, located at the run-down Magic Mall outlet in the 5100 block of West Colonial Drive.

They were charged with selling $20,000 or more of counterfeit goods and selling 1,000 or more counterfeit items, according to an Orlando police charging affidavit.

Detectives first came across the fake products when they confronted two merchants that were selling the fake purses and handbags in a strip mall parking lot on South Kirkman Road in early December, the report said.

The salespeople told investigators they had been buying the purses at $15 each from a woman named "Lilly" for four years and resold them for $40 on the street to supplement their income.

The informants said Lilly — later identified as Qu — and her husband "Mike" — later identified as Ma — sold the trademarked purses from the back room of a flea market building to people with whom they had relationships.

Orlando police detectives surveilled the flea market, and came across a locked cage, stacked with Reebok shoe boxes that were likely counterfeit, the report said.

They also monitored the flea market parking area — where they saw more gray bags in the hands of customers.

Detectives collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who were familiar with the name "Lilly" after they intercepted a tractor trailer carrying counterfeit products on Interstate 4 that were destined for "Lilly's store," in 2008. But ICE agents never identified or located the woman.

Police obtained a search warrant and raided the business Thursday, finding several thousand counterfeit Gucci, Chanel, Dooney and Bourke, Coach and other high-end purses.

Detectives estimated the retail worth counterfeit items as between $6 and $8 million dollars, the investigative report stated.

Both Ma and Qu bonded out of the Orange County jail. They could not be reached for comment.

arehernandez@tribune.com or 407-420-5471

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‘Operation Holiday Hoax’ Helps Feds Seize Over $4M In Counterfeit Goods In LA-Area

2012-01-05T12:12:00.001Z

Watch the video for the latest information on counterfeit seizure

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LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Federal authorities say they have seized more than $4 million in phony merchandise in the Los Angeles area during this holiday season.

Investigators have stepped up their crackdown on the import and sale of counterfeit goods in an effort called Operation Holiday Hoax.

John Brooks reports

Fake designers jeans, apparel and athletic shoes involving brands like True Religion, Nike, and The North Face top the list of phony merchandise.

Several agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, took part in the six-week worldwide operation.

Federal authorities say more than $4 million worth of phony merchandise was seized in the Los Angeles area alone during an international holiday season crackdown on counterfeit goods.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says fake designer jeans, apparel and athletic shoes involving brands such as True Religion, Nike and The North Face were seized in the LA-area during Operation Holiday Hoax.

The six-week global enforcement effort was headed by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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via CBS

eBay 'may be liable' for sale of fake goods, court says

2011-12-20T14:02:00.000Z

Intellectual property specialists said the verdict was a blow to eBay

Websites such as eBay may be liable for trademark infringements if they play an "active role" in promoting fake goods, the European Court of Justice has said.

The court's ruling came in response to a case brought by French cosmetics giant L'Oreal against eBay in the UK.

L'Oreal claims eBay is liable for sales on its website of counterfeit goods and "parallel imports" - L'Oreal products not intended for sale in the EU.

EBay said the court gave "some clarity" while others saw it as a "blow".

L'Oreal said it was "satisfied" with the ruling.

"This decision is in line with the position L'Oreal has taken for several years and is applicable in courts throughout the European Union," a company spokesman said.

Clarification

In May 2009, the High Court in the UK ruled that eBay was not jointly liable for the sale of any counterfeit L'Oreal products through its website, but said that the online marketplace could do more to stop trademark infringement.

The High Court asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to clarify the obligations of internet marketplaces under EU law.

In a statement, the ECJ said that it was for national courts to order online shopping sites to take measures to prevent trademark infringements.

But it also said that companies such as eBay were deemed to play an "active role" for instance by "optimising the presentation of the online offers for sale or promoting those offers".

"When the operator has played an 'active role' of that kind, it cannot rely on the exemption from liability which EU law confers, under certain conditions, on online service providers such as operators of internet marketplaces," the court said.

'Level playing field'

Stefan Krawczyk, senior director at eBay Europe, said: "The judgement provides some clarity on certain issues, and ensures that all brands can be traded online in Europe.

"As a marketplace, eBay provides a level playing field for all online sellers and will continue building constructive partnerships to expand the range of brands being sold on eBay."

Kirsten Gilbert, partner at Marks & Clerk Solicitors, which specialises in intellectual property, said the verdict was a blow to eBay.

"Brands have been concerned for years now that the internet has facilitated the trade of counterfeit goods," she said.

"Items which would otherwise be available only from back-street traders have become instantly available to consumers in the privacy of their own homes.

"L'Oreal and other brand owners will be hoping that online marketplaces like eBay now sit up and pay attention to the sales of counterfeit items which go through their sites."

via BBCNewsUK

Judge orders Google and Facebook to remove fake sites

2011-12-20T13:56:00.002Z

Chanel is involved in big crackdown on counterfeit goods

A US Judge has ordered Google, Yahoo, Twitter and Facebook, among others, to delist domain names linked to websites selling counterfeit goods.

It represents a significant step in the ongoing battle against the sale of fake items online.

The case was brought by luxury goods maker Chanel against 600 sites which it had identified as trading in counterfeits.

Many experts were surprised at the scope of the Nevada judge's ruling.

US firm GoDaddy, which manages around 45 million domain names, has been given control of the web addresses of the 600 firms. It has been told to ensure that none of the sites can be accessed.

Judge Dawson also ordered:

Google, Bing, Yahoo, Facebook, Google+ and Twitter to remove the domain name from any search results pages.
The defendants to stop using Chanel's name and images, and to stop selling any Chanel products.
GoDaddy to link the web addresses involved to a site outlining the case.

Whack-a-mole

Chanel's counterfeit investigative team identified the websites by ordering goods from them which it then determined to be fakes.

Writing about the case in a blog, lawyer Venkat Balasubramani said: "Wow, I'm sympathetic to the "whack-a-mole" problem rights owner face, but this relief is just extraordinarily broad and is on shaky procedural grounds."

Others have questioned how much jurisdiction the court would have over domains that had been registered outside of the US.

"One of the problems is that the internet is a global phenomenon and you would need similar judgements in all jurisdictions," said Rachel Barber, assistant at law firm Wiggin.

She linked the case to the L'Oreal versus eBay judgement earlier this year.

In July the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that eBay and others should play a more active role in stopping their sellers from trading in counterfeit L'Oreal goods.

The court said that websites such as eBay might be liable for trademark infringements if they played an "active role" in promoting fake goods.

"It is acknowledged that third party intermediaries are best placed to tackle online infringement and that when intermediaries have knowledge of this based on good evidence that can't just sit on their hands," said Ms Barber.

Google said that it had no comment to make at this stage because it was yet to be served with the judgement. Facebook said was looking into the matter.

See our Fake Ugg Book Seizure, Largest In Europe!

viaBBCNewsUK

Fake Ugg boots seizure in Southampton 'Europe's biggest'

2011-12-20T11:44:00.003Z

The fake Uggs had been destined for Manchester, the UK Border Agency said.

Thousands of pairs of fake Ugg boots have been confiscated at Southampton docks, thought to be the largest ever seizure of its kind in Europe.

More than 45,000 pairs of the boots were discovered by UK Border Agency officers inside six containers.

The agency estimated the boots would have sold for a total of just under £9m, had they made it into shops.

The containers originated from China and had been destined for Manchester, Border Force officer Phil Dunn said.

Southampton's trading standards officers are now warning Christmas shoppers to be careful about what they buy and where they buy it from.

Mr Dunn said: "Very quickly we realised, when we opened up the container, that there was lots of unmarked packaging which is slightly unusual and maybe an indicator that there was counterfeit goods in there.

"On examination we found what looked like Uggs, but closer examination showed the quality of them and no way in the world they could be deemed to be Ugg boots.

Private prosecution

"This was a very large scale attempt to smuggle counterfeit goods into the UK and [the] approximate retail value was just under £9m," he added.

Councillor Royston Smith, leader of the city council, said: "I'm delighted that these fake goods have been seized.

"It is vitally important for our honest traders that fake goods are seized and the culprits brought to justice.

"It also sends a message to people thinking they can get their illegal goods through Southampton, that they will likely get caught."

After the boots were seized, Border agency officers approached the rights holder for Ugg, Deckers Outdoor Corporation, to verify the products were fakes.

Deckers will now make a decision whether to bring a private prosecution against the importer, UKBA said.

No-one from the firm, based in Santa Barbara, California, USA, was available for comment.

Need help with your designer items visit our Luxury Authentication & Appraisal Team http://www.luxuryonlinestore.net/index.php/The-Project/luxury-independent-authentication-service.html

viaBBcNewsUK

How to avoid on line websites selling counterfeit items this Christmas

2011-12-16T17:39:00.000Z

It's getting to be a Cyber Monday tradition: as the biggest online-shopping day of the year approaches, the U.S. government seizes Web domains it suspects are selling counterfeit products. CNET's Edward Moyer explains in a post that this year's takedown netted more than 130 such sites.

That's nearly double the number of domains seized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of the Department of Homeland Security on the eve of 2010's Cyber Monday. Still, determining just how prevalent counterfeit product sales are online is not easy.

A study by brand-protection company MarkMonitor estimates that businesses will lose $135 billion in 2011 because of fake merchandise sold online, as Katie Deatsch reported last January on Internet Retailer. I was unable to find the original report quoting that figure on the MarkMonitorsite.

MarkMonitor's claim has been challenged in this Mike Masnick post on TechDirt, as were other "statistics" quoted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials based on the MarkMonitor survey, which the Chamber of Commerce funded.

Everyday items receive the counterfeit treatment
A more reliable estimate of the economic impact of counterfeit products may be a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which claims nearly 2 percent of all products traded internationally in 2007 were counterfeit or pirated. This figure represents up to $250 billion in lost sales, and it doesn't include bogus goods produced and sold domestically, or "nontangible pirated digital products," which I assume include unauthorized computer games and music and video recordings.

A recent report by anticounterfeiting service OpSec Security found that fake products are commonly offered on business-to-business sites such as Alibaba, DHgate, Trade Key, and Made-in-China. OpSec claims a large percentage of the brand-name watches, toys, and home electronics sold on such sites are phony.

While Coach bags and other luxury items have long been a popular target of the counterfeiters, even such mundane products as extension cords, toothpaste, batteries, and maple syrup are being faked, as Kelli B. Grant explains in this SmartMoney post.

Sites offer tools and resources for spotting and reporting fake products
The key to avoiding phony goods is to remember the adage, "If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is." To verify that a product offered on a Web site is legitimate, begin by checking the manufacturer's Web site for reports of counterfeit versions being offered for sale. Also verify the model number of the product and all components that ship with it, such as USB cables, operating instructions, and warranty cards.

For practice in spotting the telltale signs of a fake product, visit the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition's Counterfeit Gallery, which displays images of various products and asks you to decide whether they're bogus or the real deal.

The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition site lets you test your ability to distinguish legitimate products from their fake counterparts.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly)

The packaging of many counterfeit goods will include labels from certifying organizations such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and CSA International, although the copied insignia may be a slightly different color or design. Visit CSA International's Certification Marks page or the UL Marks page to compare the label's certification with the genuine article.

CSA International also provides a searchable Certified Products Listing and a database ofProduct Alerts & Recalls. Similarly, the UL site features information on the organization's authorized label suppliers.

The CSA site offers a Product Incident Report form you can use to notify the agency of a problem with a CSA-certified product. The equivalent for reporting glitches with UL-labeled products is the Market Surveillance Product Incident Report Form on the UL site.

An eBay seller's tips for avoiding counterfeit purveyors
The eBay auction site has a reputation for being a hotbed of phony merchandise. Not being an online-auction denizen, I defer to the advice offered by eBay seller Chrisid2303 for spotting illegitimate sellers who frequent the site (and others). Among her tips are to watch for sellers' claims of offering products from an "OEM factory," and not to trust Power Seller ratings.

eBay's own "Replicas, counterfeit items, and unauthorized copies" page includes a link for reporting listings that offer counterfeits or replicas.

In this Daily Mail post, Laura Moss takes an in-depth look at the prevalence of fake products on eBay. Moss concludes that the best way to make sure the product you're buying is legitimate is to make your purchase on the vendor's own site, or on one the manufacturer lists as an authorized reseller.

As that other adage states so wisely, "You get what you pay for." Let's hope so, anyway.

via cnet

Kingdom, China agree to curb import of counterfeit goods

2011-12-16T16:23:00.000Z

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and China have agreed to prepare a blacklist of exporters and importers of counterfeit goods from China, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The move was aimed at regulating the number of cheap quality Chinese products flooding the Saudi market, said Abdul Rahman Al-Abdul Razaq, undersecretary for consumer affairs at the ministry.

Speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah business daily, he said the new agreement would be implemented based on a previous agreement signed between Beijing and the European Union under which all counterfeit Chinese products would be banned in EU states and stringent punitive measures taken against those involved in their trade.

Al-Abdul Razaq disclosed such an agreement had been reached during his recent meeting with an official Chinese delegation led by the chief of China’s quality control body.

“I briefed the Chinese delegation on the negative impact of counterfeit products imported to the Saudi market on the reputation of Chinese brand products. Subsequently, the Chinese officials expressed their willingness to formally sign an agreement with the Kingdom based on the one they had already signed with the EU,” he said.

According to Al-Abdul Razaq, the meeting discussed various topics such as ensuring the quality of Chinese products exported to the Kingdom and taking punitive action against exporters involved in selling duplicate and cheap products, especially electrical appliances, dresses and toys.

He said a blacklist of Saudi businessmen involved in importing duplicate and cheap products from China would be prepared soon.

“In the light of this, we will ban these businessmen from importing from China. The Chinese authorities will also follow suit by preparing a blacklist of exporters of such products to the Saudi market and enforce a subsequent ban on their exports,” he said.

Citing major provisions of the agreement, Al-Abdul Razaq said all products meant for export to the Kingdom would be tested at the laboratories of some 35 quality control offices spread over 31 Chinese provinces.

“If any one of these products are found to be counterfeit, they will be banned from being exported to the Kingdom and the concerned exporters as well as factories manufacturing them will be blacklisted,” he said.

While China has become a country that has begun to manufacture nearly everything, or components of most goods, it is still being tagged as a country that only produces low quality goods on a regular basis.

The Chinese government has started taking a series of measures to remedy this.

Al-Abdul Razaq said the Chinese government had issued strict directives to local companies tasked with granting “Made in China” logos to various products to ensure the quality of products as well as monitor their manufacturing at factories and sale to importing countries.

“The Chinese delegation also expressed desire that the Saudi authorities would also take similar stringent measures to crack down on such cheap products and return them directly from various entry points to the Kingdom in addition to withdrawing such products that have already reached the local market,” he said.

He added that the ministry would intensify monitoring to prevent such products from entering the Kingdom. He also said huge quantities of duplicate products have been seized from various entry points in the Kingdom over the past few years and returned to exporters after initiating punitive measures against those involved in their trade.

Shoppers warned about dodgy counterfeit goods that could kill

2011-12-16T13:31:00.000Z

iPhone 4s

BEWARE of cheap, counterfeit consoles and other electrical goods flooding in from the Far East – they could kill.

Consumer group Which? issued the warning after investigating fake items on the market.

They found dodgy wiring on bogus Nintendo Wiis could electrocute a child, while fake iPhones, laptops and Nintendo DSi handhelds were at risk of overheating.

Worryingly, sellers are even using reputable websites like Amazon and eBay to offload duff must-have gadgets and designer items.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd warned: “Don’t be tempted to buy fake goods this Christmas. Some of the products we tested weren’t just poor quality, they were dangerous.”

Trading Standards Institute chief exec Ron Gainsford added: “Toys, jewellery, alcohol and cigarettes might look the part, too, but could be toxic.”

Yesterday, Amazon and eBay said they were working closely with big brands and trading standards to stamp out fakes on their sites, and would ban anyone found selling them.

via mirror uk

Counterfeit warning as Christmas nears

2011-12-16T13:14:00.000Z

A counterfeit golf club bought on an overseas online store and reported to the Counterfeit Alert Network.

Dodgy online dealers are taking advantage of the Christmas silly season to dupe consumers into buying fake sporting

goods online.

The Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) says that it has received increased reports of consumers being ripped off by dodgy online dealers selling counterfeit products.

The ASGA, which runs the Counterfeit Alert Network, an online watchdog for fake sporting product, says that the number of reports to the site have increased in the last month, coinciding with the Christmas countdown."Consumers should only buy products from reputable online sites or they risk being sold fakes and may have trouble getting their money back," said ASGA executive director Brad Ktischke.“In the last month reports to the Counterfeit Alert Network have increased 10-fold and most relate to purchases made online. We recognise that consumers are time poor and want to get the best bargain possible, but we encourage them to shop with reputable online stores and brands so they can be certain they are getting authentic product.“We don’t want someone’s Christmas to be ruined when their new golf club cracks half way through its first round of golf and they can’t get their money back from an overseas website.

”The ASGA is encouraging anyone who thinks they have been ripped off and sold fake products to report it online. The information is then passed onto the trademark owner. ASGA says that those who manufacture and sell fakes need to be aware that brand owners are taking this seriously and will pursue them through every legal means possible.The ASGA has been taking its fight against the importation and sale of counterfeit to the Commonwealth Government, seeking tougher laws and a change to enforcement procedures. It has written an issues paper and proposal for reform, downloadable here.

via ASGA

Couple facing jail after selling counterfeit children's shoes on Ebay

2011-12-02T20:15:00.001Z

A couple who made an estimated £300,000 selling counterfeit children’s shoes over the internet are facing jail.

Police swooped on the home of Antoine Simhani and Fan Fanny Cheung last January and found 10,000 pairs of shoes with fake labels.

Antoine Simhani and Fan Fanny Cheung are
believed to have made £300,000 in online sales

Trademarks included Disney’s Cars and popular girls’ shoes from Lelli Kelly, which were stashed in plastic boxes in a garage and then sold on eBay for between £20 and £40.

Simhani, 46, and Cheung, 43, of Hook Rise South, Tolworth, admitted six counts of possessing counterfeit shoes on the morning of their trial at Kingston Crown Court on November 30.

Judge Georgina Kent said: “What was being alleged was that the defendants had been involved in selling counterfeit goods, Lelli Kelly children’s shoes or Disney’s Cars.

"Those of you who have been forced, like I have, to sit through cartoon programmes, may have been aware of [them].

"Until now it has not been accepted by the defendants.

"They have had time to consider their positions and they have now pleaded guilty."

Lelli Kelly shoes were sold for between £20 and £40

The pair are believed to have travelled to markets in China to find the counterfeit shoes and import them to the UK.

Judge Kent told the couple they would be sentenced after being assessed by the probation service: "I have to make it clear it is on an all options basis. That includes custody."

Another six counts of transferring their criminal proceeds between bank accounts and online trading account Paypal, totalling £376,189 were left to lie on file, although some of the transfers may relate to the same money.

A raid of their Tolworth home found thousands of
Lelli Kelly shoes stuffed in plastic boxes

A total of £196,000 in criminal proceeds was laundered from Paypal to their joint Halifax account between August 2008 and January 2010.

A hearing next year will try to calculate the true amount they made before clawing it back.

The pair will be sentenced on December 22.

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via This Is Local London

Delortae Agency, launch a luxury authentic on line store in the UK

2011-11-07T11:28:00.002Z

Delortae Agency, launch a luxury authentic on line store in the UK. THE UK’s leading independent fashion designer authentication and appraisal specialist, and leading luxury authentic handbag SPA is pleased to announce they have launched a luxury authentic on line store in the UK.

Delortae Agency, THE Authentic Designer Bag Care Resource Portal, is pleased to announce that it has launched a luxury authentic on line store in the UK. Delortae Agency is letting consumers buy luxury authentic apparel and accessories from top brand designers at discounted prices.

The Delortae Agency luxuryonlinestore.net Web site offers access to women’s and men’s luxury apparel and accessories from a growing list of fine vintage and consignment stores across the world targeting all lovers of authentic designer apparel and accessories. The online store’s items are culled from the most trusted and reputable consignment venues across the world.

“Delortae Agency’s goal is to bring the best rare, limited edition, hard to acquire and discontinued pieces from trusted consignment suppliers throughout the world to one place,” said Brendalee Lambert, founder of Delortae Agency “It’s a unique model with a specific focus on luxury authentic designer fashion and accessories.

“What truly sets Delortae Agency luxuryonlnestore.net apart is our trusted reputation as the UK’s leading independent luxury designer authentication and appraisal specialist,” she said. “Delortae Agency exclusive UK Luxury Designer Resource Portal brings quick and easy desktop access to favourite consignment items together with our luxury authentic handbag SPA, sole UK distribution of luxury authentic handbag care product range and full range of exclusive luxury services worldwide. As a company, we are continually looking at ways we can add and improve the current range of products and services we offer clients, no other UK company does more for the luxury authentic designer community.

“Buyers don’t have to travel across town or get on a plane to search for a coveted find.”

The e-commerce destination is located at http://www.luxuryonlinestore.net to purchase items, consumers can join exclusive Gold Membership which offers buyers more benefits.

Delortae Agency luxuryonlinestore.net features clothing and accessories from Marc Jacobs, YSL, Chloe, Chanel, Hermés, Miu Miu, Fendi Louis Vuitton and other designers

For example, the site currently has Hermes Louis Vuitton and Celine handbags for sale.

Marketing plans include extensive media outreach including broadcast, print, social media and blog coverage, Ms. Lambert said.

“Media outreach will also be coupled with a strong luxury networking campaign, and a robust search engine optimization and marketing strategy,” she said.

Delortae Agency

In addition, Delortae Agency has also announced "designer-to-consumer" (D2C) integrated site for limited edition or custom-made clothes will soon be added. Along with this consumers will be able to shop new arrivals by designer, season, style, colour, price, size or condition.

Additionally, consumers will also be able to consign their luxury authentic items for re sale through the site, safely and securely.

“One of the most challenging aspects of buying online is having the confidence that your item is 100 per cent authentic,” Ms. Lambert said. “All Delortae Agency’s luxuryonlinestore.net suppliers are invited or hand-selected into the community for their niche concentration on authentic products and verified by our own authentication in house panel. We are, in fact, providing consumers with peace of mind,” she said. “Buyers know our items have been vetted by our own experienced authentication team prior to listing.

About Delortae Agency
the UK’s leading independent fashion designer authentication and appraisal specialist. Trusted supplier of luxury Authentic new and pre owned merchandise. The UK’s principal Luxury Authentic Handbag SPA, specialist. Delortae Agency offers a growing range of Designer Handbag Leather Care products including the complete MyBagSpa and Apple Leather Care range, to help authentic bag lovers prolong their handbag investments. Central London based, Head Office in Cambridgeshire, also ship worldwide. http://luxuryonlinestore.net

Exclusive! Counterfeit Website reveal exactly how they make the perfect fake!

2011-09-05T14:42:00.000+01:00

Exclusive! We have access, word-for-word how one counterfeit online seller, create the perfect fake!

It is no secret that Delortae Agency is committed to brand protection, designers copyright and trademark infringement. Our Authentication Service is recommended by Major Brand Houses, PayPal, law enforcement, Trading Standards, Office of Fair Trading, small claim courts, respected auction houses, insurance and credit card companies.

We have blocked out the site details (though on file) as we do not want to publicize their illegal activity further but answers the question how fakes are getting more sophisticated. This is taken from the actual transcript, here it is;

• We are Shanghai XXXX the high replica products company.We apply ourselves to providing you with the very best quality replica handbags, knock off purses, leather wallets and designer totes. We are proud to be the best online replica handbags shop in the world.

Our website is http://www.XXXXX.co.cc is one of the biggest online commercial corporations in Asia, committing itself to build a worldwide wholesale&retail shop online. Our company was originally set up in Shanghai, China in 2004, aiming to operate the b2c or b2b transactions with overseas consumers.

All pictures on our website are of the exact products you will receive We have been purchasing original designer handbags, and shipping them to our factories in Italy, France and Asia. We then inspect every nook and cranny and purchase the same materials to ensure that the products we manufacture are virtually indistinguishable from the designer originals in every way.

All pictures on our website are of the exact products you will receive. We know that you want to know exactly what you are going to get when you place an order, so we have our photographer take pictures of every new product before it is put up for sale on our website.

Customer satisfaction is important to our business. We know that people who lovedesigner handbags always want the newest and hottest styles on the market. Often, we get our hands on new items even before they are released to the public. Then we begin the process of finding the materials, and creating the finest replicas available anywhere. Our customers are usually amazed that products that they can't find anywhere else are available on our website, and that the quality is of the best. That is why 65% of our business comes from repeat customers.

Every bag we made is 95% exact like the original. Replica handbags are shipped to you directly from our warehouse in Asia. Our staff oversees the production of each replica handbag to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. This means you get the best selection of replica designer handbags at the lowest price. We care about you so we take care in the selection of your handbag and we respond to all questions or comments on the next business day.

We will keep in touch with you. We have e-mail agents on standby to answer any questions you might have, as well as to keep our customers informed on the latest specials and newest items. We add items to our site regularly, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter. As a LightintheBags subscriber, you will be privy to the latest trends in the designer handbag world, and receive discounts on selected items available on our website.

We guarantee that you will receive your designer replica bags promptly and intact without any hassles from the courier or customs agents. All of our customers are provided with a tracking number and access to our customer service via emai. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your designer replica simply email or give us a call and we will address the problem.

Our website is http://www.XXXXX.co.cc •

The assurances of "without any hassles from the courier or customs agents" hints that this is an highly organized operation, that maybe also paying off certain authorities to 'turn a blind eye', only shows further what lengths these companies will go to, in order to bring us the perfect fake.

Fendi Waging the War Against Counterfeiters with sophisticated Holograms

2011-09-04T00:34:00.000+01:00

In our role of independent luxury designer authentication and appraisal specialist, we view some of worlds most sophisticated counterfeit items ever made. These items, most everyday consumers never get exposed to, but due to the counterfeit market opening up and the ease of obtaining such materials and new countries entering into this lucrative arena.

We are aware that these items are filtering through to the general domain. It is no secret that Delortae Agency is committed to brand protection, designers copyright and trademark infringement. Our Authentication Service is recommended by Major Brand Houses, PayPal, law enforcement, Trading Standards, Office of Fair Trading, small claim courts, respected auction houses, insurance and credit card companies.

Over the last five years we have seen a growing number of more sophisticated counterfeits being presented. A worrying trend that has not been overlooked by the major brand designers who are victims of this new wave of sophisticated counterfeiters.

We are all too familiar in the industry, what lengths major brand houses will go to in order to protect their product and the consumer against counterfeiters. We have seen straight stitching, angled stitching, alligator skins not to mention gold zippers to help us set apart the authentic from the counterfeit, now the house of Fendi are introducing holograms.

Nothing new about that. Holograms have been used for years to in the war to combat counterfeit activity to identify authenticity of many luxury goods much of the appeal due to holograms being hard, not to mention expensive, to copy. Holograms are known to use machinery that uses create patterns using laser various different laser beams. These holograms invariably incorporate images, numbers and bar codes that are visible under forensic equipment.

The Italian fashion house Fendi, a unit of LVMH Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey, the worlds largest luxury goods group, have been for some time stitching holograms into the lining of their bags, suits, scarves, boots not to mention mink coats. No one has used holograms quite like Fendi are doing.

The coloured, rectangular stamps with encrypted codes, are visible only with a special magnifying device. The devices are being made available to the Police and Custom Officials to help identify a Fendi branded authentic item from a counterfeit. The holograms also have a wireless tracking device embedded into them which allow Fendi to track if a product has gone a stray from the strictly controlled distribution network or sold in an unauthorized store as the tags are deactivated once an item has been sold.

Michael Burke, Chief Executive of Fendi says "The best way to fight is to stay ahead" also added "We want the certainty of quickly determine whether an item is fake" their familiar two mirroring 'F's in brown and black, is one of the most copied labels in the world.

French fashion house Louis Vuitton have also acknowledged copies of their handbags are so good that their customers only realise their purchase is counterfeit when taken to a boutique for repair. We also only repair authentic luxury items in our own Luxury Handbag SPA and have seen an increase in our own returns of restoration items that have been presented to our Technicians Studio.

Fendi is not the only luxury goods company using holograms. Gucci Group, owners of Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent, confirms it also uses similar technology to protect its brands.

It costs approximately 15,000 Euro to create a holograms encrypted image with an additional few euros tagged on to the actual product. For major brands that represents one Euro out of a thousand but for counterfeiters it is one Euro out of ten says Marc-Antoine Jamet, General Secretary of LVMH and serving Head of France's Union des Fabricants, known for lobbying anti counterfeit measures.

No longer can luxury goods company rely on their exemplary craftmanship, quality skins and ahead-of-their-times designs to ensure authenticity. The luxury goods industry is notoriously reserved when it comes to talking about their anti theft protection. An industry, that up until recently, have only admitted publicly they even have a counterfeit problem.

Police in Naples have already reportedly uncovered a warehouse with photocopiers used to create fake holograms with the basic design without the deep colours and multidimensional images, for counterfeit handbags. A Fendi spokesperson said they have already seen a counterfeit Fendi complete with hologram.

So even luxury goods executives admit holograms are not fool proof. "Holograms are better than nothing but they are already being copied," says Claudio di Sabato Head of Security at Italian fashion house Prada Group NV.

Luxury goods experts say the holograms should allow consumers who buy for secondary retailers or pre owned used goods stores to know whether the product is authentic. But what if the consumer does not know how the authentic hologram or product should look, it would appear holograms offers no protection whatsoever.

Having said that Fendi hope the added complexity of it's holograms and the fact the Police and Custom Officials can root out fakes more efficiently will provide an extra deterrent against counterfeiting. The technology is considered so valuable at Fendi that only two people at its fashion house know the code behind the encrypted holograms.

Exclusive! Counterfeit Website reveal exactly how they make the perfect fake! Word-for-word, how the perfect fake is actually made! HERE

Is this the way forward?

EU customs seize $1.4 billion of fake goods in 2010

2011-08-09T13:17:00.003+01:00

(Reuters) - Customs officials seized fake goods worth more than one billion euros ($1.4 billion) at European borders last year as they paid more attention to shipments ordered online, the European Commission said in a report on Thursday.

China was the source of 85 percent of the fakes, with substantial quantities of counterfeit goods also from Turkey, Thailand, Hong Kong and India.

Nearly 80,000 incoming packages were seized in 2010, containing counterfeit goods such as cigarettes, clothing, toys and medicines. That was nearly double the number from the previous year, due to more investigations into postal shipments for online orders.

The 103 million items seized would have had a value of more than one billion euros if sold as authentic goods, the report said.

"The goods are entering the EU in smaller packages but in bigger numbers, which gives an additional workload for customs," EU customs commissioner Algirdas Semeta said.

He said nearly 50,000 of the packages intercepted last year were in the post. Medicines such as fake Viagra and diet pills made up more than two-thirds of the items destroyed.

(Tony Zafiropoulos)

The EU report is located at the EU site Europa.eu . The most prominent section: "Stresses that on-line sales caused a spectacular increase of detentions in postal traffic where 60% of the goods detained were medicines." the combination of online sales and the difficulty in policing websites creates a challenge to catching the criminals.

That's no Starbucks: What's with China's fake stores?

2011-08-08T12:12:00.000+01:00

A man (seen in larger image) walks past a Xing Bake Cafe shop Wednesday Jan. 4, 2006 in Shanghai, China. (AP / Eugene Hoshiko)

Shopping in China can give you a serious case of déjà vu.

You can follow the arrows to browse bookcases in an Ikea-like blue-and-yellow warehouse. There are employees in familiar blue shirts selling iPhones under an Apple sign that isn't Steve Jobs-approved. Even the food court, serving foot-long subs and thick Oreo ice cream treats, could fool you into thinking you're at a Subway or Dairy Queen.

There have been dozens of cases of Chinese businesses spotted emulating the retail experience of major world brands such as Nike, Ikea or Starbucks, right down to the smallest detail.

Counterfeit products have long been available in the Chinese marketplace, but now it's the retail experience that is being counterfeited. Due to weak copyright laws and a growing population of shoppers hungry for Western brands, the knock-off retail market has proliferated in recent years.

Here's a list of some of the pirate stores found in China:

A man walks past windows of a shop masquerading as a bona fide Apple store in downtown Kunming, in southwest China's Yunnan province, Thursday, July 21, 2011. (AP Photo)

11 Furniture, a 10,000-square-foot furniture warehouse, is bathed in Ikea's well-known blue and yellow colour scheme. There are miniature pencils to write down the numbers of furniture, and the merchandise bears more than a passing resemblance to the common-sense look of Ikea. Mock-up rooms? The Chinese version has them, too. Plus, the minimalist cafeteria serves Swedish meatballs that can also lead to authentic tummy regret.
In Kunming, China, five stores selling real Apple products were investigated in July because they imitated the actual Apple store to such an extent that customers unfamiliar with the real deal couldn't tell the difference. But three were allowed to stay open because officials couldn't find any actual fake products. Apple only has four official stores in China.
Also in Kunming, there are four Nike stores on one popular pedestrian-only street. Trouble is, Nike lists only three of its stores on that street, meaning one is an imposter.
In 2006, Starbucks won a copyright lawsuit against Shanghai Xing Bake Café, which was using the company's Chinese name and copying the design of the Seattle-based coffee shop.
Western fast-food chains are also finding stores mimicking their brands. For example, there are sub shops selling six and 12-inch subs (like Subway), and one shop will even accept Subway stamps. But since Subway has only about 200 shops in China, the mimicry may actually be expanding its brand awareness.
Shijingshan Amusement Park was forced to close down in May because their characters looked just like Disney's Mickey and Minnie Mouse. And the park's familiar centerpiece, labelled "Cinderella's Castle," could easily be mistaken for being in Disney World. A promo banner for the park even said, "Disney is too far, so please come to Shijingshan."

Get rich quick?

According to Panos Mourdoukoutas, an economics expert in New York, China's desire to copy and clone Western brands comes from a series of factors relating to culture, politics and weak laws.

Writing in a recent article for Forbes, Mourdoukoutas spoke about a pervasive "get rich quickly mentality" as China attempts to recover from years of poverty and failed communism.

However, Mourdoukoutas notes that despite this desire to raise living standards at home, some business owners "have yet to grasp the meaning of modern capitalism: a system of wealth creation within certain social norms, including respect for other people's property."

On the other hand, scarcity may be contributing to the issue, as Chinese entrepreneurs move in to take advantage of consumers with increased spending cash.

While brand knock-offs are garnering headlines and legal action in China, are North American entrepreneurs much better?

Eddie Murphy fans will remember the fake fast-food spot McDowell's in the 80s movie "Coming to America" as a key reminder of domestic rip-off artists.

In the real world, it's common to find fast food spots named Dairy King or B&W in many towns and smaller communities that haven't been granted franchises by bigger chain restaurants.

Plus, while many fake brands are made in China, Canadians have no problem purchasing cheaply made imitation iPods and other devices at big-box stores.

In fact, the Office of the United States Trade Representative placed Canada on a "priority watch list" in 2011 for counterfeiting, alongside nations like China, Russia and India.

"Unfortunately, Canadian efforts in 2010 to enact long-awaited copyright legislation were unsuccessful," the U.S. report said.

The report also recommended that "Canada should provide its customs officials with (official) authority to effectively stop the transit of counterfeit and pirated products through its territory."

Certainly, it's something to keep in mind this winter, when you spot a "down-filled Canada Goose parka" online for a fraction of the price.

Some say the real problem lies with the Chinese government. They allow and encourage all of these fake stores and counterfeit products because they are making money off of it and that they don't care about the west or anyone else but themselves.

What's your view?

via http://edmonton.ctv.ca

Counterfeit Stores Are Not New, Remember Fake Balmain Store in Dubai!

2011-07-27T00:33:00.000+01:00

In the midst of the recent fake Apple Store in China, we have to remember that this is not a 'one off'.

We have, over the years, been made aware of this activity going on all over the world. We remind you of the fake Balmain Store, told by INDIA-JEWEL JACKSON back in 2009 reproduced below.

"How does the saying go? “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is…”

I should have listened.

A couple of weeks ago, I made the 13-hour journey to the United Arab Emirates, a.k.a. shopper’s paradise. Virtually everyone has set up shop in the golden city of Dubai; YSL, Manolo Blahnik, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel—the entire fashion set is present and accounted for. And with the current state of the economy, it wasn’t uncommon to see storefronts peppered with signs that read “Sale!” “25% off!” “Buy One, Get One Half Price!”

Imagine my surprise when I ran across a standalone Balmain boutique at the base of my hotel. All kinds of thoughts of fashionable grandeur ran through my mind… Rihanna, Kate Moss, exaggerated shoulders, Beyonce, Cassie, crystal studded sandals, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, marching band ‘drum major’ vests… It was all too much to process. Balmain? In my size? On sale for 75% off?
I should have know something was fishy—who advertises a sale on neon poster-board?

Against my better judgment—lured by the thought of buying Balmain at Bebe prices—I bought two pairs of jeans and scurried upstairs to try them on with the YSL shoes I’d bought earlier that day. Since I’ve been on Weight Watchers, I’d actually unknowingly dropped a pant size, so my new fancy jeans were a bit too big. I scurried downstairs to make a quick exchange when I was told, “No. All Sales are Final.”

Slightly angry, but more confused, I decided to do a bit of investigative research. (A bit late, I might add.) First, I Goggled. No information on a Balmain store in Dubai. Then, I searched for legitimate store locations. No Balmain boutique south of Turkey. Finally, I called the flagship Balmain boutique in Paris. Definitely no Balmain store in Dubai.

I’d been duped.

Selling knockoff purses out of a warehouse in Chinatown is one thing, because if you’re shopping in Chinatown, you’re obviously looking for fakes. But setting up an entire store under the guise of a haute couture brand is another. They’d blatantly ripped off the current runway collection, the shopping bags, the price tags, even the logo was perfect. (How do these people sleep at night?)

Needless to say, I’ve returned to NYC with two pairs of fake denim that I can’t be bothered to wear, but can’t bear to get rid of. I guess I just think of them a reminder of why I hate fakes.

At the end of the day, I was the posterchild for ‘American greed.’ Ah, well. You live and you learn!" quote~India-Jewel Jackson.

This is just one of the countless stories we have had confirmed over the years, this poses a new threat for brand protection as the audacious grow bolder.

Counterfeit goods fund violent gang activity

2011-07-20T19:22:00.002+01:00

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- LAPD investigations show that gangs are deep into the counterfeit goods business, enabling gang members to fund illegal activities.

It takes low risk but yields high reward.

"They're using every single penny of that to fund their criminal activity," explained an undercover police officer.

For Los Angeles street gangs, counterfeit goods make for big business.

"They're making more money selling pirated CDs and DVDs than they would selling narcotics," said LAPD Senior Lead Officer Randy McCain. "They make a lot of money and they make the money faster."

Investigators say it's important for people to understand that buying those cheap counterfeit purses, sunglasses or shoes is not a victimless crime.

"We've found it tied to murder, extortion, human trafficking, insurance fraud," listed Kris Buckner, a former L.A. County Sheriff's deputy. Buckner now trains law enforcement personnel on how to spot and investigate counterfeit goods.

"In the past couple of years, we've seen a huge surge in gang members, 18th Street, MS-13, 42nd Street Little Gangsters," said Buckner.

Why? It's all about economics.

"They're now trying to run their organizations like Fortune 500 companies. They need to raise revenue, but if they're out there shooting each other, doing drug sales, their potential to make higher revenues is actually lower," explained Buckner.

So every time you buy a fake Fendi or a knock-off Chanel, you could be putting cash in the pockets of some of L.A.'s most dangerous gangs, including the Mexican Mafia.

"What does the Mexican Mafia do with that money? Smuggles drugs into the prison system, kills people, all sorts of things," said Buckner.

Investigators say cutting off demand from shoppers will cut down on crime as a whole.

"They come here and sell DVDs for super cheap, make a lot of money to fund buying guns that could either take someone off the street or a fellow officer," explained LAPD Officer Matt Shafer.

An undercover LAPD officer who could not reveal his identity said that gang members also use the money from counterfeit goods to buy cars.

"Escalades, Lexus and Mercedes," lists the officer.

In one case, he testified against two Compton gangsters caught selling counterfeit Nike shoes.

"They are Compton Crips with extensive rap sheets, weapons charges, murder, attempted murder," described the undercover officer.

Also, it's not just a matter of safety. A 2005 study found that the sale of counterfeit goods cost L.A. County alone $483 million in lost tax revenue and 106,000 jobs. That's just for one year.

And it's not just bags and shoes.

"Airplane parts, brake pads, medicine, dog food," lists Buckner.

Shafer describes it as a "turf war" among rival gang members.

"One gang member or crew will be territorial over their turf, and if another comes over, fights ensue," Shafer said.

Home video seized from a Carnales gang member shows a gang initiation, but earlier on the tape, footage shows the gang members staking out a corner of a parking lot to sell their counterfeit DVDs.

"So basically what they're doing is, they're up here selling their DVDs and smoking marijuana and just acting like the little fools they are," said McCain.

In another incident, the LAPD set up a sting where an undercover officer rolled up to a gang-infested neighborhood with a car full of counterfeit cigarettes. The officer left the car door open with the music blaring. In less than a minute, a man jumped into the car and attempted to steal it. Unfortunately for him, the engine was cut off by police. One more gang member trying to profit off counterfeit goods was taken off the streets.

via Get more Los Angeles News »

Counterfeit Apple Stores surface in China - report

2011-07-20T13:21:00.003+01:00

Chinese counterfeiters have a long history of cloning hardware from major tech manufacturers, but now they're going a step further by cloning entire stores.

A US blogger living in Kunming in Southwest China noticed what appeared to be an Apple store pop up in her town, complete with the store's trademark spacious, airy interior, blue-shirted staff, products to play with, and upstairs seating area.

Counterfeit Apple products are nothing new but evidence suggests that counterfeit Apple Stores are cropping up in parts of China. Photographs suggest that Apple brand is being abused.

The author of the Bird Abroad blog, an anonymous 27-year-old female living in Kunming, China, claims that she walked into one of the counterfeit stores recently, just a few blocks away from where she and her husband live.

Photographs on the blog entry show what looks like, to all intents and purposes, an Apple Store. The author was apparently stopped from photographing by shop staff and security guards. One photograph bears the legend 'Apple Stoer' above some Chinese characters.

"They looked like Apple products. It looked like an Apple store. It had the classic Apple store winding staircase and weird upstairs sitting area. The employees were even wearing those blue t-shirts with the chunky Apple name tags around their necks," the author writes.

"This was a total Apple store ripoff. A beautiful ripoff – a brilliant one – the best ripoff store we had ever seen (and we see them every day). But some things were just not right: the stairs were poorly made. The walls hadn’t been painted properly.

"The name tags around the necks of the friendly salespeople didn’t actually have names on them – just an Apple logo and the anonymous designation 'Staff'. And of course, Apple’s own website will tell you that they only have a few stores in Beijing and Shanghai, opened only recently," she continues.

The author also contends that in a ten-minute walk in the surrounding area, she and her husband found two more rip-off Apple Stores.

Ironically, Apple reported yesterday that China was key to the company's quarterly revenue of $28.57bn. "I firmly believe that we're just scratching the surface right now. I think there is incredible opportunity for Apple there," Cook said.

If the report on the Bird Abroad blog is true, then it seems that the clamour for Apple-branded products in China is perhaps even greater than Cook believes.

via macworld.co.uk

Fake Out: The Crackdown on Chinatown's Counterfeit Empire

2011-06-30T17:23:00.000+01:00

By: Alexandra Phanor-Faury

Even though Georgia native Audrey Estilette had heard about the counterfeit designer handbags sold in New York’s Chinatown, on her recent trip to the city, the fourteen year-old was more interested in exploring the authentic side of the neighborhood—or so she thought. Standing on Canal Street, surrounded by a swarm of vendors vying for her attention with whispers of Louis Vuitton and Chanel, it quickly became obvious to Estilette that sightseeing might have to take a back seat to bargain shopping. “Everywhere you turn, someone is trying to sell you a bag,” she says, she and her girlfriends proudly toting the knockoff Longchamp “Le Pliage” handbags they scored. “You don’t have places like this back home. You know, all out in the open and stuff.”

On an average day in Chinatown, illegal counterfeit vendors and their lookouts snake through the crowds, peddling their fake bags. For soccer mom Terry Johnson, on vacation from Florida, the illicit nature of the not-so-discreet transactions and the prospect of swinging a “designer bag” on her shoulder for a fraction of the price provides a strange thrill. “It’s a fun game to come to Chinatown to buy bags,” she says smiling, clutching four nondescript black plastic bags full of fake handbags. “I always get a rush from a good deal,” she adds, before zeroing in on a vendor holding a laminated sheet of images of Chanel bags. “Oh, let me try to get this guy.”

For years, Chinatown has been so synonymous with fakes—bags, watches, perfumes—that it’s become part of the fabric of the community. That’s why Chinatown’s Council member Margaret Chin is on a mission to rid the lower Manhattan neighborhood of its unofficial title as the Capital of Counterfeits with a proposed bill that would make it illegal to purchase counterfeit goods in her district.

“There is a huge growing demand for these low-cost illegal trademark goods,” explains Chin over the phone from her office. “There are illegal vendors crowding in front of the businesses and apartment buildings. Our constituents and people in the community are sick of living this way. Local businesses have to deal with shoppers coming in trying to negotiate a price, as if they were counterfeit. Why is that okay?”

If Chin’s bill becomes law, anyone caught buying any fake goods would be slapped with a misdemeanor charge that will come with a $1000 fine—or up to a year in jail. Italy and France have both adopted a similar law that goes after the shopper. “That’s crazy,” says Estilette, echoing the sentiment of most of the shoppers we spoke with. “Why don’t they just arrest these vendors? They are the ones selling it in front of everyone.”

That would seem to be the logical course of action. In fact, there’s already a law on the books that makes selling counterfeit goods illegal, although it’s difficult to enforce without a consistent police presence to catch vendors in the act. While there have been small victories in the fight against counterfeiters in Chinatown, like the 2008 police raid that unearthed over $1 million worth of knockoffs and closed down 32 illegal storefronts, with the NYPD stretched thin on issues like terrorism, the problem continues to grow. Accordingly, Chin believes it’s time police turn their focus on the buyer.

“This bill will stop shoppers from coming here specifically to purchase these counterfeit goods. They should experience what Chinatown really has to offer. If they want a bargain, there are a lot of places in the city where they can purchase a designer bag for an affordable price. I go to those places,” says Chin.

But not everyone thinks locking up shoppers is the best way to clean up Chinatown. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s David Louie thinks Chin’s efforts are misplaced. “What’s the goal? To get rid of the sell of counterfeit goods, right? You don’t have to be a Dick Tracy to figure out who is selling illegal goods. Why not enforce the law that’s already on the books? If they wanted to enforce it, they would,” offers Louie. “But it’s certainly not gonna help our image if we start looking up tourists.” While it was difficult finding vendors willing to talk about the proposed legislation, one laughed at the idea of the bill saying, “It’s never going to pass. No counterfeit, no tourist, no money!”

“Poor tourists and their bags, I’m tired of hearing that,” says an exasperated Paul Cantor, who’s in full support of Chin’s proposed bill. “They know what they are doing and they should suffer the consequences. How do you allow straight out lawlessness to exist out in the open?” Cantor, a community board member, has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years. “Why do I have to ask them to move from my doorway so I can get in and then the vendor yells at me? They punched a neighbor who asked one of them to move from in front of his building. There is no reason why at the very least the people out there selling can’t be cognizant of who lives in the neighborhood. I know who they are.”

If arguments about the poor quality of life and revenue loss in Chinatown don’t do much to dissuade shoppers from coming to the area for knockoffs, than Robert Barchiesi of the International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition hopes the sobering facts behind the production of cheap fakes will have shoppers thinking twice before bargaining for a Gucci tote replica.

“I think Margaret Chin’s bill is a creative idea, and will be a deterrent. Shoppers need to be educated on the big issues linked to counterfeit goods, like child labor, prostitution, gangs, and in some instances, terrorism. This is far from a victimless crime,” says Barchiesi. “If people knew just what their money is supporting...”

But even when confronted with the moral arguments against purchasing counterfeit goods, Johnson says that her $95 Louis Vuitton bag or $200 Chanel purse isn’t responsible for the world’s ills. “I’m not hurting anyone. Sorry if I can’t afford the $2000 version.”

Says Rory Chadwick of Midtown Authentic, a reputable consignment shop that sells vintage designer bags, “I know people who don’t have a lot of money and want to get a nice bag. Every week, they save up or buy a vintage bag for half the price. That’s the right thing to do. Instead, these people are cutting corners with these cheap bags.” An expert at detecting fakes for over 16 years, Chadwick sent an email to Chin when the bill was announced to offer support, along with his help in training the NYPD in spotting knockoffs. “It’s not just one person getting one bag. Now, people are coming from Florida and buying 200 bags, and then selling them on eBay or Craigslist as the real thing. Council Member Chin’s bill may be a landmark stepping stone to combating counterfeit bags.”

Enforcing the law and starting a dialogue on the illicit counterfeit trade—as well as debunking the notion that it’s a victimless crime—might be the first step to dealing with Chinatown’s counterfeit vending issues. Still, it’s difficult to image legislation will be anything more than a stopgap, when the real problem here is our insatiable appetite for status symbols, at any cost.

via BlackBookMag

Coach Donates to Japan Aid

2011-05-09T20:25:00.000+01:00

Coach

Popular fashion brand Coach has donated 400 million yen (which is $5 million in American dollars) to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Here are details about other wonderful people and organizations who are helping Japan……

jewelry designer Alexis Bittar who will donate 100% of the sales made on his website next week to the Catholic Relief Services for Japan.

Tadashi Yanai, president of Uniqlo is donating $12.2 million of his own fortune, $4.9 million from his company and $8.6 million in coats, jeans, towels and 300,000 pairs of its Heattech thermal underwear to victims.

Demi Lovato has donated $1 million of her own money to the relief cause.

The Walt Disney Company has committed $2.5 million in humanitarian aid to the victims.

Clint Eastwood and Warner Bros. have committed proceeds from Clint’s Hereafter DVD to Japan.

The New York Yankees have donated $50,000 to the Salvation Army and $50,000 to the Red Cross.

Jack Johnson, who is touring in Japan, has canceled his tour and is donating to Global Giving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, and his wife Wendy will match the first $100,000 donated via Citizen Effect to the American Red Cross.

Lady Gaga designed a white bracelet with red lettering that retails on her website for $5. She raised $250k in 48 hours.

Sandra Bullock donated $1 million to the American Red Cross.

Vital Tips To Stay Safe From Fake Suppliers

2011-04-28T12:48:00.000+01:00

Vital Tips To Stay Safe From Fake Suppliers

You can start your own business as a wholesale products supplier and reap high profits while remaining your own boss. Many people have discovered the hidden potentials of wholesale business while others are on their way to find it out. When in practical field you will definitely run into the hands of middleman who try to steal your hard earned money. So as an amateur businessman you have to take care of several things and beware of the fake product suppliers spread all over the internet.

A simple keyword search for suppliers will yield thousands of wholesale suppliers and many of them will turn out to be non-genuine ones. There are several techniques and tips that can protect you from them. First of all, such suppliers will promise to provide you with the lowest ever rates for the highest quality products and will claim to be the best from every aspects. Always remember that if the supplier gives you unbelievable rates and deals then he is a fraud. If the wholesalers asks you to give processing fee then again he is a cheat, as legitimate dealers never ask for processing fees. On other hand, also remain cautious about the middle men who claim to be suppliers and swear to offer the best quality on lower rates.

There are other ways which will help you stay safe from these fake suppliers and distributors. If you have doubts on the credibility of a certain supplier browse his website and check the contact us option. His company's full name, his own name, mailing address and the contact number, would reflect that he is a representative of some genuine company.

If you still have doubts, check whether his postal address is valid or not? Inquire about his company's registration number and call on the mentioned contact number. The answering person should instantly give you the company's name; if not then there are chances that the supplier is fake. Besides, the legitimate suppliers always mention their land-line number.

Remember that the legitimate suppliers will also ask your business name, tax number and social security number, otherwise he is more likely to be a middleman. To further check the authenticity of supplier you can ask him to provide you with a free sample product, legitimate supplier will happily give you access to the sample product while the fake one wouldn't be able to do so. It has also been experienced that if you ask too many questions, the fake ones stop answering while genuine suppliers doesn't. To remain on safer side always use secure payment methods like PayPal, Escrow etc. If you apply the above listed tips and certain a supplier doesn't fit on the criteria, you should look for another supplier.

articlesnatch.com

Buying a Replica Handbag in NYC Could Soon be Illegal

2011-04-27T03:28:00.000+01:00

Bill would bag phony-purse buyers

Pretty soon, it could be more than just the fashion police who have a problem with your shoddy knockoff bag, like this bogus Louis Vuitton.

Buyers could face a year in jail or a £606 fine under a proposed bill by a city councilwoman fed up with cheapskate tourists and Big Apple residents flooding her district in search of fake designer merchandise.

"We don't want to be known as the place to come to get counterfeit goods," said Councilwoman Margaret Chin, whose Chinatown district is ground zero for counterfeiters.

Under Chin's bill, which is being introduced Thursday, shoppers caught buying any counterfeit product could be jailed or slapped with a fine of £606 -- a little less than the price of Marc Jacobs' frequently copied Baroque Quilting Mini Stam bag, which retails for £758.

"It's a very big problem," Chin said of the counterfeit market. "People are still coming, and the industry is growing, and we have to stop the demand. We need people to know that they are feeding this demand."

Several of Chin's colleagues have expressed support for the bill, and she already has five co-sponsors.
The punishment might seem draconian, but it's necessary to curb the growing problem, she said.
She pointed out that the money that counterfeiters rake in often funds other nefarious activities, such as terrorism and unsafe child-labor practices.

But try telling that to bargain hunters. Christine Gambino, 21, of Staten Island -- who was in Chinatown yesterday sporting a fake Louis Vuitton handbag that cost her £24 -- vowed to continue to hit the neighborhood for counterfeit goodies.

"I'll take a risk and sacrifice to look good and pay less," she said.
Erma Charles of Brooklyn said she knows it's wrong, but she can't resist.

"Everyone steals," the teacher said as she walked in Chinatown. If the law passes, Chin said, she'll work to blanket problem areas like Chinatown with signs warning people about the new rules.

The law specifically states that buyers should know their goods are counterfeit because of the low price and location where they are buying them.

But don't worry if you're strolling down the street swinging your fake Vuitton and the police pass by. You have to be caught actually buying the goods to be charged, according to the proposal.
Surprisingly, legit merchants -- who could lose street traffic if the ubiquitous black-market vendors were to leave -- applauded the proposal.

Sandy Lui, manager of Optical 88 on Hester Street, acknowledged that she might lose customers, since many people come to Chinatown specifically to buy knockoffs, but she said she supports a crackdown on principle.

"It's wrong to sell [fake goods]. I don't like people coming in here assuming we also sell fake stuff," she said.Cops -- who have struggled to stop the growing problem -- said the law would be difficult to enforce. "It's never going to fly," one officer said.

Buyer beware: A proposed bill could land knockoff shoppers with a fine -- or even jail

www.nypost.com

1G fine for fake? Get real!
Bag buyers blast pol's knockoff bill
New York women strongly disagree about whether anyone should buy fake designer handbags or only pay full price for the real deal -- but they overwhelmingly blasted a proposed new law that would slap fines of up to a whopping £600 on people who buy counterfeits.

"I don't think it's a big deal to sell knockoff bags," sniffed Morgan Mikulaschek, 19, a student who lives on the Upper West Side, as she toted around a fake Fendi that she bought for £24.

"If they were selling real bags illegally, that's one thing, but they're fake -- so who cares?" Mikulaschek said The real white leather pleated bag retails for £877


Morgan Mikulaschek, 19, paid £24 for her knockoff Fendi.

"I don't think the designers are hurt from it. Their regular customers aren't going to go down to Canal Street to look for fakes."

Jocelyn Rustemeyer, 23, said she prefers the real, £480 Louis Vuitton she was lugging around, but also copped to owning a counterfeit Coach for which she paid £12 several years ago.

"I think the fine is ridiculous," said Rustemeyer, a Greenwich Village real-estate agent. "People buying fakes obviously can't afford a £600 fine."

Even ladies who would never be caught dead with a knockoff pooh-poohed Councilwoman Margaret Chin's proposal to issue fines of up to £600 -- and a jail term of up to a year -- for counterfeit-buying customers, many of whom cram her Chinatown district daily.

Graduate student Danielle Bass, 28, of the Upper West Side, defended her £841 purchase of an authentic Tod's bag even as she blasted the proposed fine.

"It's upsetting to buy purses and see fake versions of them. If I'm going to wear designers, I'm not going to be cheap about it. When I buy bags, I make sure there aren't fake versions of them. This bag was worth the price," Bass said.

"But I think the fine is too harsh. You can't fine someone for liking a bag and not wanting to spend a lot of money for it."

Fordham Law Professor Susan Scafidi said that if Chin's bill passes, it would put the Big Apple on par with France and Italy, where buyers of counterfeits can be fined up to £901.

"I absolutely think it could affect the business," said Scafidi, who heads Fordham's Fashion Law Institute. "There are some consumers who will think twice."

Scafidi scoffed at the idea that the law would significantly harm New York's tourism industry.
"People have not stopped going to Paris," she noted.
www.nypost.com

Looks like some are not deterred, what's your thoughts?

Discreet Luxury Goods Still Favoured in Financial Crisis?

2011-01-17T20:03:00.000Z

Financial crisis? What financial crisis? Are we still happy to pay big money for luxury handbags It was only the middle of last year that due to the recession customers were spending up on logo free handbags. Luxury lovers are rejecting signature prints and other heavily branded bags for more subtle designs.Lana Marks handmade leather alligator Positano bag

Remember when designers such as American Lana Marks, whose hand made leather Alligator Positano bag sold for £15,000 showed us we were still prepared to splash the cash, albeit, more discreetly.

Lana Marks handmade leather Alligator Positano Bag

So with the rise in VAT, fuel and endless others no doubt on the way are we still spending money on less obvious lines? The weaker pound had enticed shoppers from Asia and the rest of Europe.

The handbag market then exceeded £500 million in the United Kingdom for the first time last year, but market researcher Mintel still predicted a slump then due to the recession.

Will the January sales figures be buried conveniently as the UK brace themselves for government cuts? So I ask the question, are we still spending but less obviously??

See my own blog on Luxury And The Cuts In Spending Love Mimi