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'Ababis' and 'Star Wnrs': Knockoffs thrive in China e-commerce

26 Comments
By Ludovic EHRET

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26 Comments
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"Kani is a fake crab"

It is?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Caiwen is very similar to the name of Taiwan governor, but Kani is a fake crab, which has nothing to do with underwear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We all draw that fine line. The person who wears Nikes, or Adidas, or even Mizunos, are they without a moral code, considering they gladly purchase clothing made in sweat shops where the workers would be ecstatic to be able to purchase even one pair of said shoes in a year?

Would someone be without a moral code in obeying the law, while corporate CEOs and others pocket multi-million dollar bonuses and 'stock options' while paying taxes at half the rate of the worker who actually produces the stuff that gives said executives their bonuses?

Would someone be without a moral code on the other end, voting for a politician who is abhorrent on a personal level, who is a disgusting coward, but supports economic and political policies that the voter sees as more important than moral failings?

We all draw that line. For me, yeah, I happily bought the stuff for sale in the store and built the items with my son.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

David Varnes, you do not want your son to be a corporate drone but you want him to grow up without any moral code, where other peoples property means nothing? It is alright to steal if convenient and go out for a family meal to celebrate?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Speaking as someone who has bought 'DeCool' construction bricks (aka grey market Legos) for my son, the reason is simple:

Currently, the Lego brand-name items available in my local stores are dominated by branded items. I can buy building sets from Star Wars, Avengers, etc. 90% of the sets are either media tie-in sets or Technic sets that are too advanced for him right now (he's 8).

Meanwhile, the DeCool set included plans for 3 different 'models' for him to start with, 230 pieces, and as we built each one, they were pretty cool honestly. They provided hours of entertainment over multiple days even before he started 'customizing' them, were within his capabilities, weren't plastered with corporate media tie-ins... and yes, the cost was a factor, as the 'DeCool' set was about 1/3 the price of the Lego sets. No noticeable difference in brick quality, no difference in size or durability... just a total lack of corporate logos.

Since I want my son to not be a corporate drone, and the difference in cost meant a meal out for my family, it was an easy decision and a win-win for me.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Honda and Hyundai names are similar (they share H,N,D,A letters in same order), and their cars look the same (as most cars do, outside luxury sports cars). Why does noone feel cheated as with Lego v Lepin (they share two letters), and their products look the same? Lego is made in China now, not Denmark, but the prices still reflect high labour costs as if done in a social democratic union shop.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"The alcohol section offers whiskey by "Jack David."

Is that bourbon whiskey? lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There was a time when "Made in Japan" had derogatory connotations. This image was overcome by manufacturing products which were superior in quality. Perhaps this is the route China should undertake rather than simply copying successful products.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The Chinese will never stop the fake products as long as it is profitable, after all there is no cost to them and they are undermining everyone else’s economy to their advantage.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

LOL.

Where can I get a bottle of Intoxicated Dreamland to chase down my Jack David!!?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I bought my niece a jumping panda ( parodying the Puma logo ) t-shirt in China.

She loved it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Love me my "Kuma" T-shirt... :-)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I usually shop at 2nd-hand shops in Japan so I'm supporting the local economy, not the original manufacturer (more often than not is China). Underwear I get at Uniqlo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At least the Japanese usually improve upon what they copy from others (swords electronics, video games, cars, trains, etc.)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

What do expect when you live in country of over a billion people who are still mostly below the poverty level with a wealth of skills and experiences from manufacturing most of the products in the world. One popular product can make anyone there filthy rich overnight. There are towns in China that specializing in manufacturing one kind of counterfeit because that is where the original factory was located or a current/former factory worker lives there. The whole town is supported by these black market products.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don't see the problem. This is imitation, not counterfeiting.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Reminds me of this quote:

"God made Heaven and Earth, the rest was made in China"

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Knockoffs for sale all over Asia.  Must say I am a little less fussed about knockoffs of luxury brands where the price for the original is just ridiculously high than for (say) medicines or other goods where there is a large intellectual and R&D cost involved in making the original.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I dunno. Knockoffs might just become the new thing.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

But i do hate it if foreign countries intentional keep the price high just because of a brand name and sell them to the elites or wealthy even though the cost to produce such a product is not that expensive. This create a kind status among buyers that forces most shoppers to buy it even though most can't afford it.

Luxury products are called that because that's their marketing point. Still, consumers can choose to buy them or opt for the more affordable non-luxury brand option. Sadly, some would rather choose to buy fake items to look cool and fool themselves into believeing that they've made it.

Other buyers' just plainly doesn't know what IP is and its implications on economy and product integrity.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If it's cheap i can understand. If the quality is the same,then i can also accept that. But don't they feel embarrass to name their brand like that? Where is their national pride? Do they find the brand name funny enough to clients and get them to buy more? Sound like a joke and intentional to satirize other companies.

But i do hate it if foreign countries intentional keep the price high just because of a brand name and sell them to the elites or wealthy even though the cost to produce such a product is not that expensive. This create a kind status among buyers that forces most shoppers to buy it even though most can't afford it.

Ps:Calvin Klein prices are really not reasonable.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Duludubi Star; an almost exact shot for shot, level by level copy of Super Mario Galaxy

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Lego recently won a case against lepin who has been producing fakes for ages. Amazon still seem to allow lepin stuff for sale though. Amazon is a part of the problem too.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The land of the 'capy' and 'face' product.  So sad!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

How could they not be embarrassed by this?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

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