Counterfeit and Pass off Products -
Counterfeiting is a kind of duplication where even the original manufacturer would not be able to distinguish between a genuine and a fake product. These fake products bear the identical name of the original product, its packaging, graphics, color pattern, design and even same name and address as the genuine manufacturer. A pass-off product, on the other hand, is one that comes with a few minor changes from the original product. The slight changes are made to avoid being categorized legally as counterfeit. "The Economist" defines counterfeit as, "something that is forged, copied or imitated without the perpetrator having the right to do it, and with the purpose of deceiving or defrauding." Such rights are legally enshrined in patents (linked with inventions), copyright (which covers literary, musical and artistic works and software), trademarks (which include words, pictures and symbols), industrial designs and other forms of intellectual-property protection. Counterfeiting deceives the consumer. It thus tarnishes the image of a genuine manufacturer, as its brand is a promise of quality and value. The Brand - a company's most valuable asset can be destroyed when a trademark is imposed on counterfeit products of inferior quality. When a brand loses value, legitimate business loses sales and this can pose a long-term threat to profitability.
[...] In a meeting with the Industry in the month of June 2001, the Food and Drugs Administration in the state of Maharashtra, agreed to set up a review mechanism whereby BPC and top FDA officials will meet on monthly basis and exchange information on the spurious Drug and Cosmetic products in the markets. Based on the information from the Industry, FDA is initiating enforcement action. This is a very positive development as Maharashtra FDA now recognizes that the issue on Spurious Drugs and Cosmetics is rampant and needs to be resolved. [...]
[...] The company moved from the old Vicks packaging to the Global `Blue' mega branding packaging, the price of Vicks products increased and the company was simultaneously working on a new distribution system. In December 1998, the first of the look-alike brands started appearing in the market. Reports from P&G's field force picked up six pass- off brands - Endo Action, Jet Action, Anadol Action, API Action, Vicas and Vikas cough drops. In January 1999, P&G moved the courts and the infringing products of all six pass-off brands were seized. [...]
[...] Thus, it is important to study the thought process that goes into making a purchase decision, so that marketers can reach this huge untapped Due to a lack of consumer awareness, weak enforcement of existing laws and rapid innovations in technology, the production and distribution of fake and counterfeit products has become so widespread that, today no consumer can be sure of the authenticity of the product he or she he has purchased. Today many consumers are duped into believing that the products they are buying are genuine when in reality they are actually fake. [...]
[...] which they do not have or giving any guarantee as to performance/efficacy that is not based on an adequate or proper test, Misleading the public concerning the price at which products & services are sold; Advertising the supply of goods/services at bargain prices, when in fact they are not meant to be offered for sale at such bargain prices; Offering of gifts, prize with the intention of not providing them as offered or if the price of the gift/prize is actually included fully or partly in the item sold, non compliance of product safety standard, Hoarding or destruction of goods. [...]
[...] War on counterfeit and spurious products -The facts The Indian economy has undergone a number changes in the last decade due to liberalization and globalization. Apart from the positive effects of increased goods and services available to consumers, the negative effects of counterfeiting, adulteration and manufacture of spurious goods has become an increasingly dangerous menace to consumer choice, health and the economy. Though this problem has always existed, now more than ever, counterfeit and spurious products have invaded every aspect of our lives. [...]
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