How to detect a counterfeit

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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.

See the article in its original context from March 1987.

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genuine product's fulltone colours. Weight is another giveaway. Because counterfeits are almost always made of lightweight, inferior materials, they are almost certain to be lighter than the genuine. If in doubt, compare the weights of the seller's sample with the product you know to be genuine. And any substandard counterfeits simply look substandard.

• Finally, some dealers in counterfeit products insist on cash. This, itself, is an unusual business practice. And one that should make any importer/exporter more than a little suspicious.

Even so, you may tell yourself it's a deal too good to pass up. But is it? The counterfeit may be confiscated by Customs. The product's genuine maker may sue you for trademark or patent infringement. And so may any number of government agencies. If the product fails in use, injured individuals may also bring legal action against you and your company. And longtime commercial customers, discovering the failed product was counterfeit, will almost certainly turn to importers/exporters who deal in legitimate products, backed by legitimate warranties. Any short-term gain is certain to become a long-term loss.