Bushwalk Australia

Counterfeit and economic espionage has always existed through human history. No ethnic group or country is innocent. The British were as bad as anyone in their heydays. At the end of the day, it's all about money and the side one is on.

they are even making fake chicken eggs...

When there's money and power, there are fakes. Human nature.

I own a couple of of counterfeits as they were much cheaper however they did come from the the Country that the named brands were made and were faultless in manufacture and quality so makes me wonder about say the $295.00 recommended retail as an example now $99.95 in some outlets ??
corvus

Retail margin is huge on clothing and related items. I think we all know that. Otherwise unless there's specific IP and/or trademark protection in the specific country of manufacturing, "counterfeit" may not be counterfeit. What we perceive as counterfeit often may not be the case in a court of law. In which case the discussion becomes mute. Copying or immitation of ideas is actually encouraged under IP laws all over the world, unless the originator of the idea is willing to patent and pay increasingly hefty annual patent maintenance fees going towards the end of 17 years of patent life.

I think it's true that a big name manufacturer will also make the same item, identical but for some cosmetic changes and a different name and sell them for much less to capture some of the market that, for example, is not willing to pay for shoes costing $200 or more but is in the market for a pair costing $100 or less. Materials costs may differ a bit, the labour and transport costs are the same, the retailer is still getting a worthwhile markup so it does make you wonder. I'm surprised that more 'gym' shoe makers aren't listed amongst the world's billionaires.

i've heard that what can happen is a factory that makes the official product, may use leftover material once the production run is complete to make gear that will then be sold outside the official channels as knockoffs, hence the quality can still be very good...