Looks like the war is on between some well known businesses and the manufacturers of knock offs. Zippo Manufacturing Company plans to lay off about 15% of their work force and they blame part of the cause on the knock offs of their lighters. In Pittsburgh where Zippo Manufacturing is located, there will be a few more on unemployment soon. Zippo has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission to stop the manufacturing and sale of knock offs. Many of the knock offs are coming from China so Zippo has named four Chinese companies.
Because of the knock offs, Zippo has lost 30% of their business, which in turn has caused part of the reasons for the layoffs. Zippo says if their business picks back up substantially, they can hire back some of those they laid off. The layoffs were something they regretted having to do, but they claim it was the only option they had.
A few weeks ago was fashion week in New York and the designers are very upset by all of their designs being manufactured by clothing companies around the world and sold at cheap rates to everyone wanting them. These knock offs are causing quite a stir within the designer world and they have decided to fight back. Designers like Zac Posen and Diane von Fursternburg have teamed up together along with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to get copyrights to their fashions.
For those who cannot afford the big expensive fashions, the knock offs have been a way for them to get garments, which look like the latest fashions but at a very cheap price. The designers are also working with Congressman Bob Goodlatte to get legislation started, which would give the designers protection rights on their designs just like other artists; musicians have on their works. If it works out, the designers will be able to register their designs with the U.S. Copyright Office. The designs would then be protected for three years. It would be illegal for anyone to manufacture anything similar to the designs. The CFDA is an organization of over 270 designers and they are very upset with the manufacturers of the knock offs.
This is just two of the many companies or products, which are getting irate about the knock offs, found in the streets, discount stores, or wherever they are being sold. There are watches, jewelry, purses, shoes, and many more products. Many of the products use the same names and just spell them differently so the buyer may not notice. This problem is not new by no means but the Popular Manufacturers have decided it is enough and now is the time to take action. Time will tell which ones will win.
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