Counterfeits bad – increases prices, creates job loss, and funds criminal activity

[Rachel, 5/5/2023, Financial Times, “Letter: Remember, counterfeiting is not a victimless crime”, https://www.ft.com/content/a32e063d-a117-477e-903c-be637d7a74b7, accessed 7/8/2024, LR]

Annachiara Biondi’s article “Why Gen Z is cool with counterfeits” (Life & Arts, April 29) ignores the key fact that counterfeiting is not a victimless crime.

The counterfeiter’s manufacturing methods and ingredients are highly questionable and frequently create dangerous products.

As the creator of a baby product which was counterfeited, and now uses the experience to help others fight fakes online, I am qualified to comment. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular suffer considerably: losing sales, jobs and brand value, all while trying to ensure poor quality branded copies do not reach often unsuspecting consumers. Most brands work tirelessly to identify and prevent fakes from penetrating consumer awareness, particularly online.

Fake products can be life-changing. Fake beauty products can scar: fake airbags don’t open on impact; fake electrical products cause burns.

Counterfeits are manufactured by criminal gangs with no thought for their employees, working conditions, ingredients or the environment. Sales are known to fund drugs, prostitution, people trafficking and terrorism.

Encouraging the perception that a fake is merely a cheap copy ignores the ethics and value behind any quality product. Putting your health at risk may also result in serious inconvenience and expense, putting paid to what the data journalist you quote calls the “thrift and frugality” approach.