Reader 213

on selling replicas

Hi there FT,

I hope you could point out to the sellers that there's a difference between licensed and illegal replicas, and to remind them to check and obtain proof of licensing from their suppliers.

Licensed replicas are those which the copyright owner has given the permission for a company to reproduce, and while there are many companies who allow that (e.g. FIFA reproducing the World Cup trophy) most, if not all, designer goods companies will not allow it.

Hence, if that's the case, those replicas are illegal, a.k.a counterfeit goods, and it's illegal to sell them in Malaysia and in most other countries as well. There might be a loophole for online sellers, but remember that your transactions are still done in Malaysia through Malaysian banks/postal service/on Malaysian soil (CODs).

If you're now thinking of shops which openly sell illegal goods, well, I'll just say that corruption and bribery is sadly starting to be a norm in Malaysia.

To buyers, if you really love designer goods, buy the real thing and credit the designers whom you love. Don't insult them by buying fakes.


From my POV, electronicfly
P/S: If they're any lawyers/law students/gov. officers able to confirm/deny this, do speak out. Everything typed in this letter is from a layperson's POV after researching on the Internet.