clearthink and skycap are dead on! This is not a debate over how good a fake really is, the issue is the act and its damage to commerce of the legitimate firm. Fake pharmaceuticals may be formulated as well as the genuine article, however the pharmaceutical firm saddled with 2 billion dollars in total costs for R/D plus drug trials and FDA approval will be harmed.
STOP!! I'm not supporting the pharmaceuticals industry, only using them as an example of deep pockets investment corrupted by IP theft.
Stories abound of audio industry players setting up manufacturing in China, receiving a quality product for the money and then discovering renamed identical product in other markets. When approached, the Chinese manufacturers are dumbfounded there exists a problem as the contractual agreement is in their minds fully met. Of course all of the engineering and intellectual property has been stolen in the process.
Years ago Top Gear tested Chinese car models. One was eerily similar to the BMW X5. BMW had sued for design infringement and lost in Chinese courts. Imagine that!?
STOP!! Before some wander off waving a banner marked "China-phobic", I'm merely addressing a current prevalent offender, with full understanding there are plenty of others around the world to include U.S. firms. Check the court dockets.
I once purchased on a lark in Thailand a copy of Microsoft Office for $6 (180 Baht). It was a souvenir and I never loaded it. I was afraid to. I just wanted to see if it were possible to purchase on the black market.
For those who still support finding that special deal no matter what, I hope your house wiring is not mis-marked as 14-guage, the contractor having secured a smoking deal to cut costs, only to find in the post-fire forensics it to be 20-guage overwhelmed by a toaster oven.