The reporter who helped bring down Harvey Weinstein worked on his story for many years and conducted research that led to the fall of Weinstein and his studio. Hopefully your research will lead to the fall of the design houses. We now know that Marchesa was corrupt so it does occur. It takes someone vigilant and interested in a subject to bring about change so if you truly believe in this then it can happen and you can bring about change. Money and power create corruption, but not every person shares the same ethics so most design houses are probably operating above the board and dislike the counterfeit industry and fight against it as much as many people do. The design houses do need counterfeits though, that is a fact, because it has helped sales in the fashion industry for many years and helps create trends that grow. Copies help the fashion industry succeed that is a proven fact but to what extent the design houses are involved in copies is something the public doesn't know at this time.
What are the legal implications of carrying (not buying) a fake bag?
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The topic of counterfeit items at airports and in stores is something that really bothers me, personally, even though I would never buy or carry a fake anything - knowingly, that is.
But the thing that just rubs me wrong is that the items whose authenticity has been questioned are confiscated, and not by the police with all the forms filled and everything, but by people who simply cannot be sure, 100% sure, that the bag or glasses or a watch they're looking at is fake. Why can't they? Because no one would be able to remember every singe detail of every single branded item that was produced since since copyright was invented. It's just not possible. If this one girl knows Chanel to a t, she still may be able to miss something and deem an authentic bag fake. Like, for example, if a bag's handle got torn apart accidentally and the owner decided to just attach a custom-made handle, surely that would've seemed like a red flag to someone who doesn't know the history of this particular bag?
So if we were to do it properly, these things should have been decided in the court, with several actual experts proving that the item is counterfeit. Instead, judging by the stories out there, we have people like SAs, or security guards at the stores, or people at airports taking away a person's belongings because they think they're fake. Even if they are sure it is, even if it's such a poorly made fake that everyone and their cat can see it, it is still someone's property. And if the person who owns it says it's authentic, that's what it is until proven otherwise, since there is this thing called the presumption of innocence. Without a court order no one should be able to deem any item fake and thus illegal.
It's been advised here on this thread that people should keep receipts. Well, excuse me, but I believe once the item is purchased, the person who now owns it - and owns all that it came with - has the right to dispose of it in every way they seem fit. It is best to keep the receipts if you're planning on reselling the item in question in the future, or if it has a warranty; but no one should be obliged to keep any proof of purchase if they don't want to. Also, accidents happen? things can get lost or destroyed. And sometimes people buy things pre-owned, and in that case, there is often no receipt available. Even if they get it authenticated it by a professional afterwards and thus get all the proof they need, it still shouldn't be their responsibility - our responsibility - to prove we're not in fact lying when flying abroad, or shopping, or walking down the street wearing an item with a copyrighted logo on it.
But the thing that just rubs me wrong is that the items whose authenticity has been questioned are confiscated, and not by the police with all the forms filled and everything, but by people who simply cannot be sure, 100% sure, that the bag or glasses or a watch they're looking at is fake. Why can't they? Because no one would be able to remember every singe detail of every single branded item that was produced since since copyright was invented. It's just not possible. If this one girl knows Chanel to a t, she still may be able to miss something and deem an authentic bag fake. Like, for example, if a bag's handle got torn apart accidentally and the owner decided to just attach a custom-made handle, surely that would've seemed like a red flag to someone who doesn't know the history of this particular bag?
So if we were to do it properly, these things should have been decided in the court, with several actual experts proving that the item is counterfeit. Instead, judging by the stories out there, we have people like SAs, or security guards at the stores, or people at airports taking away a person's belongings because they think they're fake. Even if they are sure it is, even if it's such a poorly made fake that everyone and their cat can see it, it is still someone's property. And if the person who owns it says it's authentic, that's what it is until proven otherwise, since there is this thing called the presumption of innocence. Without a court order no one should be able to deem any item fake and thus illegal.
It's been advised here on this thread that people should keep receipts. Well, excuse me, but I believe once the item is purchased, the person who now owns it - and owns all that it came with - has the right to dispose of it in every way they seem fit. It is best to keep the receipts if you're planning on reselling the item in question in the future, or if it has a warranty; but no one should be obliged to keep any proof of purchase if they don't want to. Also, accidents happen? things can get lost or destroyed. And sometimes people buy things pre-owned, and in that case, there is often no receipt available. Even if they get it authenticated it by a professional afterwards and thus get all the proof they need, it still shouldn't be their responsibility - our responsibility - to prove we're not in fact lying when flying abroad, or shopping, or walking down the street wearing an item with a copyrighted logo on it.
Great response. If I may, please allow me to continue in this vein.
The thing about "fakes" is that it is not illegal to buy them. In the United States, there exists no statutory or any other law that prohibits anyone from buying counterfeit goods.
Louis Vuitton employees are instructed not to authenticate items that were purchased outside of their stores. I am sure other high end brands have conveyed the same to their employees.
Sites like Poshmark - a virtual platform for replica sellers - authenticates all purchases over $500.
Ebay also offers authentication services, as does Lollipuff and a host of others who are not - or appear not to have any affiliation with any brand. Yet, no one finds this strange.
There is no one at customs who can authenticate any item from any brand. It would be impossible for them to do it. They determine to stop packages based upon several factors: size, weight, quantity. These things give them the reason they think they need to justify seizing someone's parcel. If they see a parcel that contains a branded item that is not enough to make them open that parcel. But if they see a parcel with a branded item and all of the factors I mentioned above, this is their justification because they are only trained to look for possible brand violations...particularly on parcels that come from China as China is the largest manufacturer of brand replicated items. Parcels that meet these qualifications are targeted because the assumption is that you are selling something - and in the case of brands...this is illegal.
If your parcel is seized customs will send you a claim letter. At that point you may or may not enter the court system. Many people who purchase counterfeit items will ignore the claim letter and not claim their item although they have done nothing illegal in buying it.
In France, buying or selling a fake item is illegal.
My father used to be a Customs officer and he was trained. He just knew where to look, whether it was a pair of Rayban sunglasses a Lacoste polo shirt , a Rolex watch or a pair of Nike shoes.
There is no such a thing as a super fake, contrary to what people say.
A friend of mine bought a lovely limited edition of a Neverfull from an antique market seller.
As somebody told her the dimensions didn't seem right, she took it to a LV store.
The SA had a look at it and pointed out all the wrong details .... inside.
The lining in particular. A Customs officer would have noticed it immediately.
No need to be an expert.
My father used to be a Customs officer and he was trained. He just knew where to look, whether it was a pair of Rayban sunglasses a Lacoste polo shirt , a Rolex watch or a pair of Nike shoes.
There is no such a thing as a super fake, contrary to what people say.
A friend of mine bought a lovely limited edition of a Neverfull from an antique market seller.
As somebody told her the dimensions didn't seem right, she took it to a LV store.
The SA had a look at it and pointed out all the wrong details .... inside.
The lining in particular. A Customs officer would have noticed it immediately.
No need to be an expert.
I'm in the U.S and that is what most of my knowledge reflects.
No customs officer is trained to authenticate. It is an absolute impossiblity, there are too many brands and too many products that encompass the scope of those brands. I do not doubt that they receive some kind of training...and given that you say in France they know what to look for....I wonder about that training and find it odd. I must consider this more.
And yes...there is such a thing as a "super fake" though the origin and manufacturer of said item is something most people do not want to believe.
Most people aren't super impressed by random online innuendo and rumor, packaged as insider knowledge. People respond rather differently to facts from credible sources, which you have not posted. So there's that.
Some people are thinkers and have the ability to digest information and consider it. They don't automatically reject what is unfamiliar to them and sometimes they continue with an investigation of their own. You don't appear to be one of them...and that doesn't bother me at all. Neither do your comments or your use of bold. Your kind is predictable. I'm sure I've already told you that on Reddit. You do not want facts and if you had them you still would not believe them. So hold onto your beloved brand image and exclusivity. Never question anything told to you by the brands you love. Continue to believe every story you hear in the media - which is something you likely do now, without question. Never do any research of your own and attack anyone who says anything that is in opposition to what you hold dear. I honestly do not care what you do...or what you think. Do you understand dear? Your opinion does not matter to me.
I don't care for people who don't think for themselves and find them a waste of positive energy. Rant away my dear. Going forward I will ignore you.