Ever been to Chinatown in New York where every few feet, someone’s trying to sell you a fake designer handbag?  Me too.  It was so stressful, I had to go to Little Italy for some wine and cheese to get over it. 

I’m not the only one perturbed by all the counterfeit goods.  The luxury brands involved have also been unhappy, claiming copyright infringement and devaluation of brand name, among other offenses.  Womens Wear Daily reported yesterday that Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Celine, and a few other luxury designer brands won an order for permanent injunction against several Chinatown businessmen in Manhattan court earlier this week.  All parties involved are permanently restrained from selling, manufacturing, and marketing goods that infringe on the luxury brands.  The Chinatown businesses are also required to hang up signs that notify consumers that the sale and purchase of counterfeit goods are prohibited and punishable by law.

I’m glad to see this, although I wonder how much of an impact it’s going to have.  I saw people snapping up the fake bags right and left in Chinatown as well as the financial district; as long as there’s a market, there will be someone to fill the void.

If you’re in the market for a luxury brand, don’t buy fake.  Stick with reputable dealers only.  Be cautious when buying online or through auctions like eBay.  There are ways to tell if you’re buying a fake bag, but the safest way to ensure authenticity is to shop with luxury retailers like Eluxury or Macys.  Don’t enable counterfeiters.  Don’t break the law.

 –Diana

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