Contending with counterfeits
Feb 8, 2015 18:01:45 GMT
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 8, 2015 18:01:45 GMT
First of all, some definitions must be given...
TO COUNTERFEIT, criminal law. To make something false, in the semblance of that which is true; it always implies a fraudulent intent. Vide Vin. Ab. h.t. Forgery.
Counterfeit: an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; forgery.
When it comes to swords, I would consider new wallhangers 'fake' from the standpoint that they're not intended for use. The same can be said for fake (counterfeit) Chinese katanas, e.g. the ubiquitous "antique Japanese katana" found on eBay and elsewhere. Modern reproductions are a whole other ballgame: they aren't counterfeits, they're reproductions. Let's take Paul Chen/Hanwei/Cold Steel/Bugei/Huawei, etc... they look and feel very similar to each other (in some degree - we all know CS has weird issues regarding weight/mass distribution), but are they claiming to be something they're not, e.g. a shinsakuto or gendaito? No - all they claim to be are reproduction Japanese swords, and are sold as such. We all know of some particular companies though that try to bypass this and sell their wares by using false advertising/breaking copyrights.
When it comes to knives, counterfeits/fakes often look identical in appearance to real knives, so there's a big problem ferreting out if it's real or not. Sometimes, the fake knives have the name/logos from real companies, but the knife shape/design was never made by the real company. So, how can we discern if it's a fake or not? Ask people in the know (try to join forums where people ask if the sword/knife is fake and what makes it so), contact the makers, or if buying in person, check out the knife in question and see if it fits with what you know about said knife (blade shape/type of steel/weight/other characteristics). Also, if the price is too good to be true, or the sellers has wild claims about the knife, buyer beware: unless it's from a reputable source, don't take their word for it.
Here's another great article that explains how huge this problem is:
HOW EBAY, AMAZON AND ALIBABA FUEL THE WORLD'S TOP ILLEGAL INDUSTRY — THE COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS MARKET
TO COUNTERFEIT, criminal law. To make something false, in the semblance of that which is true; it always implies a fraudulent intent. Vide Vin. Ab. h.t. Forgery.
Counterfeit: an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; forgery.
When it comes to swords, I would consider new wallhangers 'fake' from the standpoint that they're not intended for use. The same can be said for fake (counterfeit) Chinese katanas, e.g. the ubiquitous "antique Japanese katana" found on eBay and elsewhere. Modern reproductions are a whole other ballgame: they aren't counterfeits, they're reproductions. Let's take Paul Chen/Hanwei/Cold Steel/Bugei/Huawei, etc... they look and feel very similar to each other (in some degree - we all know CS has weird issues regarding weight/mass distribution), but are they claiming to be something they're not, e.g. a shinsakuto or gendaito? No - all they claim to be are reproduction Japanese swords, and are sold as such. We all know of some particular companies though that try to bypass this and sell their wares by using false advertising/breaking copyrights.
When it comes to knives, counterfeits/fakes often look identical in appearance to real knives, so there's a big problem ferreting out if it's real or not. Sometimes, the fake knives have the name/logos from real companies, but the knife shape/design was never made by the real company. So, how can we discern if it's a fake or not? Ask people in the know (try to join forums where people ask if the sword/knife is fake and what makes it so), contact the makers, or if buying in person, check out the knife in question and see if it fits with what you know about said knife (blade shape/type of steel/weight/other characteristics). Also, if the price is too good to be true, or the sellers has wild claims about the knife, buyer beware: unless it's from a reputable source, don't take their word for it.
Here's another great article that explains how huge this problem is:
HOW EBAY, AMAZON AND ALIBABA FUEL THE WORLD'S TOP ILLEGAL INDUSTRY — THE COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS MARKET