Tracing the Counterfeit Shoe Market

Programs like the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center involve multiple agencies working together to dismantle networks distributing counterfeit goods. These initiatives target the importation, domestic distribution, and sale of replicas. Public awareness campaigns also educate consumers about the risks of purchasing counterfeit goods and encourage buying from reputable sources.

When I made up my mind to snag a pair of those alluring Gucci Ace yeezy slides, I initially didn’t think about my usual sellers (the ones I go to for bags). I decided to get shoes that I already own the authentic version so I could compare them. That’s why I chose the Gucci Ace Studded Leather sneakers. But, it is also evident that the cost of many shoes limits who can buy them even if they are counterfeit because many people may only be able to afford the $50-$60 knock-offs. It’s definitely an inner battle that heads of all ages have faced.

Take a close look at the logo, as fake shoes usually have a misspelled or different logo. Fake Adidas products are often found to be counterfeit, as they often misspell the name “Adidas” or lack one of the three stripes. Another instance of illegal replicas is selling replicas of patented products.

I mean, they own the product, they know what goes into it, they know the relationships that made the shoes. And that’s kind of the tricky thing with this whole verified versus authentic. You got “UNC” 1s, you got “Hyper Royal” 1s yezzey slides, “Mocha” 1s, white-on-white Air Force 1s are problematic. I’m in a bunch of cook groups, you hear which fakes are getting really good, and then I’ll just start avoiding those. Generally, I’ve moved more toward the types of Dunks that aren’t really—there’s a rumor that Pandas are highly faked, but I haven’t actually seen it.

For a considerable amount of time, people have been using eBay to buy replicated goods, especially in the areas of bags, watches, and fashion accessories. Even though the website is international, a lot of sellers specialize in quietly selling duplicate goods. In China, it is quite easy to look for replica goods but one needs to know where to look since many sellers try to stay underground so as not to attract too much legal attention. One such approach is to examine sites such as Taobao and Alibaba which has a variety of products and services. The market for replicas is rampant in countries where the enforcement of intellectual property laws is weak and, hence difficult to control. This segment is characterized by strong market forces for aspirational customers seeking to own the real thing but at an easier price to their pockets.