The Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) seized $1 million of counterfeit Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Rolex and Coach goods Tuesday in New York City. Created in 2006, the OSE addresses quality of life issues such as lawless clubs, illegal conversions of apartment buildings into hotels, and trademark counterfeiting bazaars.
Tuesday's Chinatown raid came after a two-month investigation by OSE officials. Do you think counterfeited designer goods warrant the attention of a special unit?
Giorgio Armani
Ernest Jones
Christian Dior
The Law is the Law if you break it you should pay the consequences
1Shopaholic - You don't like to buy knock offs at all?
I've bought a few knockoffs in my time, but more as a joke than as serious front.
I would be happier to see this OSE unit tracking down knock off pharmaceuticals and cigarettes though... I think that poses a much more serious risk than some Faux-Lexes....
2Cabaker-I can honestly say I have NEVER bought a knock-off. I would rather spend/save my money for the REAL thing or not at all.
And you do have a GREAT point about the knock-off medicine. That's way more dangerous than buying fake purses.
3Theres def. more to this issue. Of course I think trademark laws should be enforced... but I can't name anyone I know who DIDN'T download for free on Napster back in the day... whats the difference really?
4Shoot. I REALLY hope they don't look in my closet.
5I agree with Shopaholic, a crime is a crime, and should be punished. People spend their lives creating something that constitutes their livelihood. I don't think it is any different than if someone came into my office and blatantly ripped off my hard work and turned it in to CEO as their own. To the best of my knowledge, I have never bought something counterfeit and I plan to never do so. Not even illegally downloaded music.
6I've bought a fake purse. It's really nice. I know it's wrong though, I don't think I'll do it again. I just hate the look of most affordable handbags, and I'm no where near being able to buy the ones I do like, and I'm real picky. Many companies make their products in Asia nowadays, so if I were to buy a 15 000$ European bag made in Asia, I'm not supporting our economy much anyway.
What is really bad is that no one is responsible for those Chinese workers that are making these fake products, and that is the biggest problem for me on the ethical side. They might be severely under paid or beaten, or in contact with harmful chemicals. Also, they might use different procedures and substances on i.e. leather product that are cheaper but dangerous to the customer and the enviroment. And that's why I'll probably not buy more fake handbags.
One thing that is really black and white to me are fake toothpastes, skin care, hair care and such; and that's a real silent problem. It scares the crap out of me, and that's why I buy organic products from smaller (usually American) companies, as they are less likely to be counterfeited like Colgate, L'Oreal, Pantene, Revlon and other popular brands.
7"What is really bad is that no one is responsible for those Chinese workers that are making these fake products, and that is the biggest problem for me on the ethical side."
Tres I totally agree with this. I do my best not to buy anything from China, and a few other countries, but holy cow is it hard.
And as for my closet. My sister in law was over seas doing a tour in Iraq. She sent me home a ridiculous amount of knock offs. But I just can't bring myself to wear them. For some reason I feel silly.
8I agree that the medical and cosmetic knock offs are more harmful, but another concern that nobody has mentioned....Where is all the money going? It's not the street vendors that are making all the money ultimately... I'm pretty sure that there are some pretty shady anti-American organizations/terrorist groups at the root of these knock off factories who are pocketing our money and laughing all the way to the bank.
9We are agreeing so much lately I feel the urge to burst into "Ebony and Ivory" (Dem and Rep), so we can live together in perfect harmony, side by side and my piano something something, and all that.
10And it's dedicated to cine_ and cabaker.
11This is me getting down at my desk
12I'm a Obama supporter so you know my moves are gonna be:
13i think it's a crime - mainly because i am a designer. i know that if i grow up and i design something like a shoe or handbag or even a little mp3 player or something, i would have put a lot of time into it, and it's my thoughts. so i have trouble looking at knock offs because it's taking someone else's ideas as yours. it really bothers me because it's taking from the person who put time and money into the design in the first place.
14and they might be expensive, but if you can't afford them (hey, i can't) find other purses that might not be prada bags, but are just as stylish. my fave is a leather bag from a boutique in paris that is so well crafted, but it's not a brand name, and while it was still somewhere in the 200 euro range, it wasn't the price of the balenciaga i longed for.
hahah! Yay for agreement!! woohoo!
15I think the counterfiet medicines and skin care, hair care, etc are a serious problem... Leaving out the Where does the money go? And human rights aspects of it... if you think about it, there is very little regulation as to the efficacy or safety of many health supplements and we as a country take those like crazy...
16So i guess my point is, whats the difference?
17
Tres I just spit tea on my screen!
18This could be us
19Cabaker is the dancing banana
20Why do I have to be the banana?!!?
What about me screams BANANA??
21peanut butter, jellly... peanut butter, jellly...
22Hey Trea, Obama was on Ellen again this morning dancing... maybe check her website later for the clip!
23I thought the banana had the coolest moves!
24If the banana can do the Sprinkler then its totally me.
25Well I mean common! Look at the banana he is rocking out. I bet she could do the running man, roger rabbit AND the sprinkler!
26You could always be
but I thought I would save that for 3M
27Cine you had better stop this tomfoolery before 3M comes in and shuts us down!... And I'm going to ignore the sexual undertones of 3M being the dancing pickle...
My dance moves are very similiar to these guys - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMf7vA0tYuc
I can you see as The Eager Scholar... and Tres as the Dictator... hahah! Just kidding tres!
28Personally I like to rock The Wii Remote...
29Ha Ha! At least you see why I was saving the dancing pickle
I can't watch the video, youtube won't show on my computer at work.
But certainly sounds like Tres and me!
30I want some of what you guys are drinking this morning! I'm cracking up reading this! Nice to see you guys are still keeping this site fun to read!
31I love Wii! But I must admitt, I have not done the Wii dance, except for when I bought it.
32OMG! The second you get home you have to watch that video! You will pee your pants laughing! I promise you, you will laugh so hard... I won't promise you you will pee your pants though.
33Cabaker and I are full of shenanigans
34Cabaker, If you can't promise pee or defecation, then really, what is the point?
35I was thinking the same thing myself.
36I know you guys are full of shenanigans! I've been trying to catch up and seriously, I have laughed at more than a couple of the stories y'all have commented on! and that youtube video is going to get me fired! I laughed so hard at that - I think I'm a new lightbulb dancer...
37
silly ladies! I came in here to read everyone's comments b/c I thought we were debating this
subject! 
38I'm very upset to see a counterfeit of my pickle on this thread. I will not stand for this infringement of my rights!
39Oh, and my Dad likes to do the Bus Driver.
40Actually, I think these guys ripped off most of my Dad's moves.
41I really want to watch the video! I am so bummed I have to wait.
Piper you have a lot of catching up to do, we have been on top of our game.
Shop
42"I'm very upset to see a counterfeit of my pickle on this thread." I have no idea what you mean by that, but that has got to be the funniest thing I've read on here. I've been gone too long...
43
Cabaker-That Youtube vid was hilarous!
44
3M! I feel you. My dad has done those moves a few times thinking that he was being "COOL"
45I was going to say I really want to see your pickle dance, but that does not sound too good.
This is so going to get pulled.
46That video is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. My stomach muscles HURT! I'll totally be the dictator! I think I'm a little eager student too, I was totally one of those back in school. I'm liking this party, even if I've totally given up on talking about seroius stuff. But didn't we all agree?
47I meant this one;
48Cine, you're going to contriibute to my unemployment! seriously, I've got to stop laughing!
49Shop- You mean these moves AREN'T cool?? Ohhhh boy....
3M thats the price you pay for being the only boy. Embrace it!
And we did all agree!
Now is the time in Sprockets when we DANCE!
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