Week 6 EOC: Illicit Trade

Today's assignment is one that I'm extremely passionate about. Counterfeiting any type of products in my opinion is not acceptable. Prior to viewing the film Illicit Trade in class today, I did not support purchasing counterfeit goods or "bootleg" products which it's commonly known as on the streets of many major cities. After viewing the film, I now have a stronger stand on not supporting the purchase of counterfeit goods, but for a totally different reason.

Prior to viewing the film my reason for not supporting counterfeit goods was because I was wearing my business hat. Looking at it from the perspective,  I would not want someone selling my creative works reaping the benefits from my creative process and hard work. In other words, stealing my idea and profiting from it. Now after viewing the film, I'm viewing this matter from a more sensitive perspective. I really did not consider the fact that if you can counterfeit clothing, handbags, and shoes what could stop someone from counterfeiting something that can be ingested? I really didn't think of the more severe effects it has on human life.

Cutting into a large companies profit margin is really not a big issue, as compared to someone loosing their life from taking medication prescribed by a physician. One that has been diluted, or replaced with harmful toxins.
As a fashion designer, I have a very special interest on this subject matter. I have considered how I would respond if I learned my products were being counterfeited. I think it's a great compliment that your material products are worth copying. However, when it comes to a human beings life, no amount of money can replace it.

I am learning a lot in this class. It has given me a whole new way of looking at certain areas of the business. I find myself asking, what type of security measures and procedures can I impliment to better protect our products? I'm aware this is an ongoing problem and it has been going on for a very long time. Counterfeiting will not be stopped completely, however I'm hopeful that there will be a solution, putting an end to counterfeiting products which are harmful to a persons physical being.