Submitted by: Submitted by Marcella
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Date Submitted: 05/17/2012 10:07 PM
ATTITUDES TOWARD COUNTERFEIT FASHION PRODUCTS
19
Attitudes Toward Counterfeit Fashion
Products: A South Dakota State University
Case Study
Author:
Faculty Advisor:
Department:
Amy Frerichs
Dr. Jane E. Hegland
Design, Merchandising, and Consumer Sciences
ABSTRACT
Ethically, morally, and legally people know it is wrong to produce and use
counterfeit money, but why do we not think twice when it is a fashion product? The
business of counterfeiting fashions is a growing problem with no end in sight. Over the
past few decades, the problem has been increasing to an ultimate high. Purchasing a
counterfeit product reflects on a person’s ethics and morals. There is a difference between
a knock-off version of a designer’s product and a counterfeit product; the terms will be
defined and evaluated. The ethical and legal dilemma that consumers are in will also be
discussed. After a review of the current literature, I look into the attitudes and beliefs of
students at South Dakota State University and interpret what the data from the case study
reflects about the counterfeit fashion industry.
Key words: counterfeit, fashion, attitudes, beliefs
INTRODUCTION
Ethically, morally, and legally, people know it is wrong to produce and use
counterfeit money or copy music CDs and video DVDs, but why do we not think twice
when it is a fashion product? Spotting counterfeit items can be a designer’s worst
nightmare. Designers work hard to create the merchandise they sell. On the other hand,
some consumers cannot afford the merchandise of designers.
The purpose of this paper is to review current literature that examines the difference
between knock-off and counterfeit merchandise, to look at the counterfeit fashion
business, the effects counterfeits have on society, how to spot counterfeit items, and the
ethical dilemma with counterfeit fashion purchases. I also look at a case study of attitudes
and beliefs of apparel merchandising students at South...