"Fakes Cost More," says Jackie Chan
- Star reveals the “real cost” of counterfeits
- Growth of counterfeiting up 1,700% over last decade
Hong Kong, Thursday, 2 June 2005 --
Counterfeiting has become a truly global concern causing major social problems and safety issues. International superstar Jackie Chan today revealed not only the dangers of fake products which have infiltrated the food we eat and the medicine we take, but how pervasive fakes have become in daily lives. Mr. Chan’s announcement kicks off an international campaign titled “Fakes Cost More” which aims to drive international awareness to the seriousness of counterfeiting.
Counterfeiting is a major growth industry with a global market valued at US$500 billion. Industry sources estimate the worldwide production of counterfeit products to have soared 1,700% over the last ten years. But the most surprising aspect of this growth is not in the numbers themselves, but the wide variety of industries which have become hotbeds for fakes.
“Counterfeiting has moved well beyond DVDs and handbags these days,” said Mr. Chan, whose nearly a hundred feature films have made him a popular target for counterfeiters. “Fake products are becoming popular in industries such as food, medicine, toys, even cars and planes, areas where you or your family’s safety may be at stake”.
The real cost of fakes is even more substantial than the economic and jobs issues associated with counterfeit goods. Human lives are jeopardized by low-quality baby formula, unsafe automobile brakes and non-compliant airplane parts. A substandard toy could break and cause choking parts and fake cellular phone batteries have been documented to explode, causing severe injuries. Even more serious, thousands of children are employed in unsafe factories to keep up with demand and there is evidence that profits generated by the counterfeit business go toward funding terrorist activities.
According to international counterfeit expert Dr. Frederick Mostert, who joined Mr. Chan at the announcement ceremony, counterfeiting is far from a victimless crime.
“If you think buying a fake product is a joke and that it can’t hurt anyone, think again,” said Dr. Mostert, who also holds the title of Honorary Chairman of the International Trademark Association. “Fakes surround us in our daily lives, from the shampoo we use to the x-ray machine we rely on at the hospital. Even fake Ferraris, Harry Potter books and sports equipment such as golf clubs can be reproduced with speed and ease using digital copying technology.”
“Counterfeiting isn’t a problem associated only with developing countries,” Dr. Mostert continued. “There are hot spot distribution points in Brazil, Nottingham and Leicester in the UK, street shops in New York and Los Angeles and production plants in China, Korea and Vietnam. It’s truly an international problem, one which all consumers and governments should pay special attention to.”
Mr. Chan and Dr. Mostert utilized the opportunity to kick off an international awareness campaign titled “Fakes Cost More” which will travel to Europe and the United States in the future. The purpose of the campaign is to inform consumers around the world and raise international awareness of the real cost of counterfeiting.
Don't Buy a Lie: P. Diddy's Sean John label has also put forth a useful anti-counterfeiting site. Visit www.dontbuyalie.com for more information on how and why you should avoid fake Sean John garments.