Are Counterfeits Fair?

Consumers have numerous options to select and buy various kinds of apparel and accessories. Depending on stores or shops, offers branded and counterfeit apparel and accessories to the consumers to buy from. This availability of wide varieties of product confuses and bewilders the average consumer. Counterfeit products are imitations of brand name products. They are the look-alikes or spell alike of actual brand products. Counterfeit products tend to have fake company logosand brands. In case of goods, it results in patent infringement or trademark infringement. Though prohibited, production and availability of counterfeit is growing by leaps and bounds. The growth in counterfeiting clearly has an economic impact in the marketplace and on the manufacturers of brand products and social status of the consumers. This paper discusses various pertinent issues like factors affecting consumer buying decisions and to make consumers aware of taking wise buying decisions, opinions of various stakeholders in the process of branding and counterfeiting. The results suggest that most important factors that influence a consumer’s final buying decision are the price and quality of the product but those who are not able to afford the branded apparel and accessories select to buy counterfeit apparel and accessories as they can satisfy their social needs. The result of the study also indicates that strong and powerful brand in the market are those brands whose counterfeits are available on high rate irrespective of its illegitimate. The production of counterfeit apparel and accessories is a crime and its sales are serious threat to both the manufacturers of the branded apparel and accessories and for the welfare of the consumers who purchase counterfeit apparel and accessories.Through this study, an attempt is been made to understand need for branding so that the manufacturers, retailers, and ultimate consumers remain unaffected by counterfeit products. Key-words: In-house laundries: Fully functional laundry situated within the hotel premises, accessories and for the welfare of the consumers who purchase counterfeit apparel and accessories.Through this study, an attempt is been made to understand need for branding so that the manufacturers, retailers, and ultimate consumers remain unaffected by counterfeit products. Key-words: In-house laundries: Fully functional laundry situated within the hotel premises