Knockoff News 17
A weekly (or thereabouts) collection of news about counterfeits, fakes, knockoffs, replicas, imitations, and the culture of copying in general around the globe:
BestWorst places to buy fakes: USTR releases 2006 Special 301 report- Nonprofit launches Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network
- Georgia on its mind: Russia alleges counterfeit water
- Dubai newspaper addresses confusion over UAE anti-counterfeit law
- South Africa says fakes equal lost tax revenue
- Indian expert alleges pervasive piracy
- Ma and pop operation: Custom bags beat the knockoff blues
- Editor, exposed, turns to designer rentals
- Rolex in the hay: Creepy coach also used team to sell knockoffs
- Unoriginal sin: Samsung confesses to knocking off Apple
- Bejeweled designer fights knockoffs
- Major designers retain law firm to fight China fakes
- Globalization facilitates trade in counterfeits
- Easy to emu-late: lax copyright laws boost parallel imports, risk of fakes in New Zealand
- New York company promotes new DNA label tech
And in a convoluted ethical move, conservative Christians' children are playing with American Girl knockoffs rather than the real dolls:
Mission City's doll brand, called A Life of Faith, looks like an American Girl knockoff, complete with historical theme, steep price ($100) and cultlike membership clubs (another $100). The Faith dolls have two enhancements, however: They can position their hands in a prayer pose, and they come equipped with mini Bibles.
For more background on the playroom politics, read on:
