Nyc considers fining buyers of knock-off goods

Seth Wenig/AP Photo

For a long time police in New You are able to City happen to be chasing after the men on Canal Street in lower Manhattan selling phony Lv handbags and $20 Rolex watch watches, however it has not stopped the counterfeit trade. The New You are able to City Council is thinking about pursuing the client.

"We have reached tell your friends that hey should you participate in this activity you are carrying out a criminal offense and i believe that's the only method to scare people," stated Councilwoman Margaret Face in a hearing today from the Public Safety Committee.

Face is sponsoring an invoice that will punish the purchasers of knock-off goods having a fine as high as $1,000 and as much as annually in prison.

"For law abiding people, once they know it's illegal, they'll stop," Face stated.

Prosecutors plus some council people found the suggested legislation too harsh also it lacks support from Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"We're concerned that enforcement of these a prohibition could deter both New Yorkers and vacationers from looking for legitimate goods," stated Kathleen Magee, director from the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement.

Advocates say more must be completed to crack lower on fakes, which cost the town $1 billion in annual tax revenue. And, they argue, the punishment being suggested in New You are able to works elsewhere.

"In France if you're caught not only buying, purchasing, but transporting a counterfeit anything you can check out jail and become penalized as much as ˆ360,000," stated Valerie Salembier, former writer of Harper's Bazaar who now runs the nonprofit Authentics Foundation.

"Passing this legislation will behave as a deterrent to individuals individuals who arrived at Chinatown exclusively to purchase knockoffs," she stated.

Susan Scafidi, who directs the style Law Institute at Fordham Law states anti-counterfeiting efforts up to now have centered on the availability side.

"Police force authorities have basically been fighting with one hands tied behind their backs," Scafidi stated. "This bill will give them new authority - the same as focusing on johns in addition to hookers."

Even when the balance passes, which seems unlikely, Scafidi doubts police could be rounding up tour groups in Chinatown. But she does see value in educating customers.

"If purchasing a counterfeit becomes criminal act, as opposed to a leisure activity that has a frisson of danger like ziplining or skydiving, the chances are less customers will choose to bag an imitation,Inch she stated.