counteirfeit page

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International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition's (IACC) hints and signs on how to tell if a product is counterfeit	Nintendo of America's hints and signs on how to tell if a product is counterfeit	Michael G. Kessler & Associates, Ltd, Investigator's list of products that have recently been counterfeited
Clips from Emily Gest and Owen Moritz's Article on Nintendo of America, Inc.

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When you buy a product did you ever think that you are not buying something authentic or real? Here are some signs to tell if a product is counterfeit:

If the price is too good to be true it is most likely counterfeit
Blurred lettering on packages or labels, that is not ripped or crisp
Misspelling of words or changed product names
Major changes in the content, color, smell or labeling on the product
Product packaging without manufacturers code, trademarks, copyright information, 1-800 numbers or other symbols and/or marks you usually find on the original product.
If the product makes unusual promises or claims and doesn't have information about licensing agreements usually found with products such as software, or designer goods.
-This information is from the International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) Buyer Safety Website http://www.ari.net/iacc/consumer_tips.html

If you would like to see BNEF's Be A Smart Shopper Article, CLICK HERE.

Reporters, Emily Gest and Owen Mortiz, reported, in an article in the Daily News on November 9, 1999, that Nintendo of America, Inc. said that counterfeits cost their company $725,000,000 a year!!!

Nintendo has brought lawsuits against companies selling counterfeit products. The Nintendo spokesperson, Jodi Daugherty, said "everybody loses with pirated products. Business suffer tarnished reputations, licensees loose large financial investments and consumers get sub-standard quality."

If you would like to read about the fight against counterfeiters and cyber pirates, Nintendo of America, Inc.'s main licensee, Wizards of the Coast, has very interesting advice at their website. The URL address is:
http://www.wizards.com/contactinfo/Legal.asp

Here is Nintendo of America Inc.'s hints or signs to tell if something is a counterfeit:

Examine or look closely at the product's label(s) carefully.
Ask the retailer or person at the counter questions about the product if you think it is a counterfeit. If the person can not answer those questions you might want to re-think or re-consider buying it.
Look for the normal or proper logos to be certain that they are not counterfeits. If the colors, label(s) is/are blurred the product is probably a counterfeit.

-This information is from Nintendo's News Stories Page at http://www.pokemon.com/news/counterfeit.html

Here is a list written by Michael G. Kessler & Associates Ltd of what has been recently counterfeited:

Watches
Clothing
Sunglasses
Handbags
Video tapes
Baby food

Shampoo
Nutritional formula
Cough drops
Liquor
Fragrances
Candy

Children's toys
Brake pads
Helicopter parts
Airplane parts
Computer software
Prescription drugs

Antibiotics
Health and beauty aids
Automobile parts
Trading Card
Video Games

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CLICK HERE to check out some cool quotes about how international counterfeiting effects our world.

THE COPYCAT'S TOUR	Computer #1 says: I was bought at a company that cares about it's compppputers. Computer #2 says: Oh yea? Who? Computer #1 says: Mike Rosoft's Compppputers (sm)
	Counterfeiting has a lot to do with your life, your clothing, toys etc. If you go to the next page you can find our team member, Madeline's explanation on trademarks and how it effects you.