Knockoff News 47
A weekly (or thereabouts) collection of news about counterfeits, fakes, knockoffs, replicas, imitations, and the culture of copying in general around the globe:
- It's your fault: Op-ed blasts buyers as root of counterfeit crimes
- Naughty or nice: Hong Kong official says consumers need incentive to be good
- Procument manager blames consumer demand on high priced rag trade
- Developing country: Algeria shifts from consumer to producer of fake goods
- Taking sides: Switzerland to amend patent law, strengthen effort vs. fakes
(more here) - Charity case: UK officials send seized fakes to poor in other countries
- Dire straits: ASEAN officials to co-ordinate efforts agains flood of fake imports
- Seoul patrol: Chinese imitations undermine Korean exports
- Czech marks: Republic officials provide detailed statistics on seized fakes
- Get real: New Prada cel is not an iPhone knockoff
- Kenya traders pressure police re counterfeit, grey market goods
- No bargain: Plea deal nets fake Nike seller 30 months in prison
- True confession: Chapel Market chairman concedes counterfeits sold
- Dreamgirl's nightmare: Original Supreme promotes bill against knockoff bands
- Technical foul: NBA details anti-counterfeiting efforts for upcoming all-star game
- Death of a salesman: Police nab door-to-door seller of fake clothes
- Suspended animation: Do China's customs regs conform to TRIPS?
- Moonlighting: Bank clerk guilty of selling fakes on office computer
- Bamboozled: Wal-mart sued over prestige placemat knockoffs
And finally, an example of cultural appropriation that will either promote world peace or cause yet another rift in the Middle East -- you decide:
PROPONENTS' VIEW: "Once Israelis adopt the accessory, it will create "a common denominator" with their neighbors."
OPPONENTS' VIEW: "Some [Palestinians] already see the Israeli keffiyeh as threatening to appropriate yet another trademark element of their culture (see: hummus, nargila water pipes and belly dancing)."
FASHIONISTA'S VIEW: "It can go with the relaxed look of the backpackers who return from abroad and like to layer themselves in textile wraps."
Now there's a question for the Miss Universe pageant.
