Beware Knock Offs – How Not To Get Ripped Off

Knock offs are a scam, and they're as prevalent on the internet as they are at flea markets. If you want to get ripped off, try a knock off. Here's what to watch out for

A knockoff is a counterfeit good or service produced without the permission of its owner. It is usually sold at a price lower than the legitimate item would sell for. For example, if someone sells vintage designer jeans on ebay but sends them out through unsolicited personal messages it’s probably not real denim and an authentic pair would sell for around $250 - $300 US dollars (source).

When people pass off a knockoff as the real thing, they are committing a copyright infringement and trademark violation. If they're selling a knockoff online, they may be committing trademark infringement by using someone else's registered trademark (like Nike or Target) without permission. They could also be committing trademark infringement if they are using a word that is part of someone else's registration (like Nike or Target). They can also be violating copyright laws if they are duplicating an artist's work without their permission.

It's not enough to just get ripped off, you'll need to get sued because it's usually illegal for someone to sell an unregistered trademark or copyright protected item (or use an unregistered trademark/copyright protected word). You can also get sued by the artist or designer if you are charging for something that is not comparable to the original product.

If you were charged with a trademark infringement or copyright violation, could YOU afford to pay for it? No, especially because it's usually illegal to sell counterfeit goods without permission (see Section 8 of this article).

There are a few ways to avoid getting ripped off. First, you should never buy second hand products through unsolicited personal emails that are from an unknown seller. These items are often counterfeits of some sort and it's hard to tell if the item is legitimate or not (especially if you don't know what you're looking for). Second, you should only purchase products that are recommended by someone you trust. If there is a manufacturer's website for the product, then make sure it has been tested and validated by the manufacturer (you can get this information from the company's website).

Finally, watch out for "knockoffs" at local flea markets and swap meets. These are usually of extremely low quality and can lead to health issues. There is also the chance that the knockoff is not of actual denim, but some other material or fiber and you could get fed up and ripped off by a dishonest vendor.

Always remember to keep a receipt for EVERYTHING! You never know when you might need it in court.

-Zach Hobbs -President- ZH Designs LLC. (http://www.zhedesigns.com) – Author of How To Start Your Own Clothing Line: Part 1 – (Legal Issues.) (http://www.zhedesigns.

Conclusion

Beware the knockoffs! It's easy to fall victim to them and it's best to avoid any counterfeit goods. They are usually low quality and contain toxic substances that can give you a bad reputation and destroy your business. If you don't want to get ripped off, then be sure you gain a high level of trust before making any big investments.

Here is some information about copyright laws, trademarks and intellectual property:

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS: http://www.copyrightlawnow.com  AND  http://www.trademarklawnow.com :  Lori Grace & Company (http://www.