Counterfeit products: concept, types, responsibility

In the quest for a luxurious life, many are ready to transgress the law, using the results of other people's works for free. So, counterfeit products are appearing on counter today more often. This problem is being intensified. However, at present, laws and prohibitions do not have the proper effect.

So, what is counterfeit products in the language of lawyers? This is a product that was produced on the basis of another - an already existing original; At the heart of the creation is a violation of intellectual property and copyright.

Often people believe that counterfeit are only different video and audio media. However, it is not. To date, every major manufacturer has a significant loss due to the fact that under a well-known brand scammers sell low quality products, "second-class". It can be films, clothes, cosmetics, furniture, appliances, food, and much, much more.

Now let's take a closer look at the types of all counterfeit products.

• First of all, this is a fake logos. A person who does not study the features of certain brands, but who has heard about their good quality, comes across a trick, taking, for example, Guchi for Gucci. This is the most common type of counterfeit. After all, in this case there is no evidence in favor of the fact that the results of design work were stolen - since even the name of the product is different.
• Forgery of the appearance of goods. If in the first case it was only about the use of visually similar logos, then, as they say, "everything at once" is copied, only with insignificant differences. Such counterfeit products have a higher price, but it is also much easier to hold accountable for its sale.
• The next kind in the people is called "piracy". Movies, music, books - all this is sold without the knowledge of the authors. However, not always it is a question of paid distribution of production. With the development of the Internet, the results of intellectual and creative activity of cultural representatives are available to any
  The willing. Everyone today can absolutely free to see the new film, listen to a music album or read another bestseller.
• Finally, the fourth type of counterfeit products is the use of a variety of technical solutions, patented earlier by others.

With the discussed phenomenon there is a continuous struggle. In Russia, for example, from August 1, 2013, the so-called "anti-piracy law" that has received great resonance in society came into effect. On what sanctions are provided for violators, read below.

Counterfeit products. A responsibility

According to Art. 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the distribution / acquisition / storage of the results of other people's activities entails a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles or compulsory work lasting 180-240 hours. This may be correctional work (the term of which is up to two years). In the event that the losses of the legal owner are enormous, the responsibility for selling counterfeit products may amount to six years' imprisonment together with a fine of up to half a million rubles.