Avoiding Piracy and Counterfeiting
The top 10 strategies for avoiding piracy and counterfeiting when going abroad. Shopping in Thailand can be enjoyable if you enjoy bargaining over pricing, finding fantastic discounts, the smell of open-air markets, and picking up gifts for loved ones. But you must use caution for avoiding piracy and counterfeiting. You might face severe fines, have your purchases seized, and you could also end up in jail.
Thailand is well known for its illegal movie and software copies, as well as fake clothing and handbags. When you return, customs could search your luggage and seize everything.
Examine the contents, labeling, and packaging
There is no surefire way to distinguish between a good deal and a fraudulent item, yet, labels and packaging might provide useful clues. Look for broken or missing safety seals, expired “use by” dates, missing warranty information, or any other strange packing. Look for trustworthy sellers when making larger purchases. This includes mechanical or electronic equipment and verifying serial numbers using manufacturer databases.
Contact your pharmacist or the manufacturer to find out if the medication you bought from a new seller was authentic. Confirm if this differs from your typical product size, shape, color, taste, and adverse effects. Confirm authenticity by comparing the manufacturer’s details with those on another product. Note that addresses and phone numbers offered on counterfeit goods may be deceptive.
Look for authorized merchants, while avoiding piracy and counterfeiting
Quite often, Companies mention their approved shops online or in packaging. Ask the store for verified details about the source of the items if you are unsure whether they purchased them through an authorized distributor or not. Learn about the companies that support retail establishments. Also, urge your favorite shops to protect their supply chain. A safe distribution network that adheres to guidelines like those in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Supply Chain Tool Kit is used by reliable vendors.
Keep an eye out for any unpaid sales taxes leading to Piracy and Counterfeiting
You might notice a difference in the final price you pay, especially in zones where sales taxes are collected. Because, very often, businesses fail to record their proper transactions to financial authorities. Before buying, you should find out more about the pricing and the origin of a company’s products. More so if the price does not seem to include the necessary sales tax or other costs.
Demand safe transactions, while avoiding piracy and counterfeiting
Chances are that secure transmitting and storing of consumer data go disregarded. Such businesses dealing with counterfeit aren’t bothered about client security.
If you feel uneasy about the security of the transaction, refrain from buying. When you submit payments through websites, make sure the URL starts with https:// (the “s” stands for secure) and check for a lock icon in your browser while conducting business online. In Chrome, this lock is to the left of the URL. When conducting business in person, confirm your credit card information is safe, and not included on copies.
Look for quality control in the aftermarket
You could choose to buy things from a reseller that are pre-owned or cheap. The distinctions between authentic packaging, content inconsistencies, and counterfeits can be too subtle to notice. By learning more about your supplier’s quality assurance procedures, you can prevent counterfeit products on the secondary market. Reputable and trustworthy resellers have thorough inspection and verification processes in place. This, as well as professionals that check the machinery they sell.
Report dubious spam and defective goods
Customers can help brand owners by serving as a source of investigative information. Thus helping to keep the market free of imitation goods. Inform the brand owner and the authorities if you receive spam that takes you to a dubious Web page. Notify the brand owner and get in touch with the store where you purchased if you think you may have bought a fake or pirated item to arrange an exchange or refund. Call 800-638-2772 to report dangerous products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Complex unlawful production and distribution operations are the sources of a large number of counterfeit and pirated items. Inform the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center of any suspected intellectual property crimes.
Watch out when making purchases abroad
Many worldwide companies offer distinctive goods that are difficult or impossible to buy at home. In some international marketplaces, counterfeiting is even more common than in other countries. The Government issues travel advisories that may inform you if well-known counterfeits start to surface in the nation where you plan to travel. Be advised that upon re-entry into the country, customs agents have the power to seize counterfeit goods. Additionally, when shopping on international websites, search for reputable merchants. Mainly, those who have legal addresses and use recognizable privacy and security protections.
Inform your children about fake goods
Teach your kids about the risks that fraudulent goods have to both their safety and the companies that provide the goods they like. Teach kids to use reputable, safe retailers both in-person and online. Check whether online merchants abide by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. This mandates that they take extra precautions to protect the personal information of those under the age of 13. Last but not least, instruct kids to consult a parent before disclosing any private or sensitive information online.
Alert loved ones about questionable product sources
One of the most effective ways to alert people about harmful and defective items and the companies who offer them is by word of mouth. In so doing, you can also find out where your loved ones have discovered reputable, secure, reasonable, and legal options.
Have faith in your gut
Always be on the lookout for deals that seem “too good to be true.” Use common sense and walk away if the circumstances surrounding your buy make you uncomfortable. This includes the price, location, and lack of a sales receipt or warranty information. More importantly, the vendor’s refusal to respond to basic inquiries about the origin of the goods in question.
