It recently came to my attention that people have been selling fake Ferragamo bags. I was literally appalled. Sure, replicas and counterfeit goods have been around for what feels like ages. But, it seemed to me there were some lines that shouldn’t be crossed. Isn’t selling high end illegally replicated bags almost as bad as bank robbery? Anyway, I decided to dive in and figure out whether this was even legal or not.
Well, the short answer is no. It’s absolutely not legal to sell fake Ferragamo bags. The brand is obviously protected by copyright laws. So selling false Ferragamo bags is considered illegal in both an online and brick-and-mortar setting – although, this tends to be a tricky one for the police to catch in action. It can be hard to prove without detailed documentation that you knew what you were selling was a fake.
However, the real issue here is more than just the legality of it. Okay, bad news: selling counterfeit goods is illegal, no debate. But the bigger question here is; why would someone resort to sell something that is essentially stolen property? What possessed these people to stoop so low? One of the actual stated reasons why this is illegal is that it means supporting material, even human exploitation in the fashion industry. So, not only is this unethical, it’s definitely a crime.
It’s actually quite astonishing that despite being blatantly illegal, the industry of fake Ferragamo bags continues to gain massive profits. It’s an undeniable money spinner. In 2015, a major counterfeit company was busted, revealing £1.4 million worth of fake Ferragamo products. To me, it feels like the main culprits are taking advantage of people’s desires to be fashionable while not paying the full price. There is simply no easier way to ‘get the look and feel’ without having to pay full cost.
But, I find it hard to fathom why people would be willing to risk facing legal consequences with this money-grab. There’s still a stigma attached to these activities, and I don’t believe a few extra bucks are worth ruining your reputation for. That’s why, it’s so important to be aware of the dangers in the fake Ferragamo handbag industry and stay away from it.
The repercussions of selling counterfeit goods are clear – confiscation of fake merchandise with the possibility of legal consequences, including but not limited to a special court order, civil fines, and criminal penalties. In addition to that, counterfeit products are often made from poor-quality materials and have destroyed brands images and caused financial damage. Legitimisation of fake merchandise and goods can lead to low-quality and dangerous products in the market.
The lesson here is simple: don’t sell counterfeit goods. Not only is it illegal, but it can also be destructive on so many different levels – economically, socially and financially. To stay safe, do some research on any product you intend to buy, especially if you’re buying from an online retailer. On the flip side, if you’re considering selling or even buying fake Ferragamo goods, I’d recommend you reconsider. You don’t want to be the one who winds up caught in the web of counterfeit goods – it’s never a good place to be in.