Purchasing a counterfeit product

2-4 paragraphs

Have you ever knowingly purchased a counterfeit product – perhaps a purse or a wallet or maybe a watch for example.

What are some of the implications for your purchase decision for the real company as well as for the entrepreneur selling the counterfeit product.

Topics to consider include:

Why is there a market for counterfeit goods?

How does this market benefit sellers?

What does it mean for the company producing the real product?

Where was the counterfeit product likely to have been made?

How do counterfeit products help an economy? How do they hurt it?

How do decisions to buy counterfeit items influence new product development policies at companies?

Would a legal system that protects property rights changes any of your answers?