How do you know if you are purchasing the Real McCoy or a counterfeit product?

Consider the cost of the item. If it is brand new and in what appears to be an original wrapping, yet priced far below its stated value, it may be a fake. No matter what the street vendor tells you about his watches, he is NOT selling you a real Rolex for $15. Life is NOT that sweet -- except for the vendor, if you decide to buy his product

Access the company website and determine those things that lend themselves to the authenticity of the product. Examine the item carefully. Are the markings right? Is the color right? How about the hardware? The material? The PRICE? How is the item usually marketed? (If it is distributed only through Sak's, and you find it at the local Flea Market at half price, um, guess what?)

Use Common Sense.

Most of all, do NOT provide a marketplace (and a profit) for fraudsters. In the long run, YOU are paying for it.

The US economy depends upon the concept of Intellectual property. Major copyright industries include motion picture, sound recording and computer software, and "brand name" everything. Millions of Americans are employed to manufacture and distribute these products and our economy processes billions of dollars during the sales phase. Unfortunately, almost $10 billion is being lost annually to fraud associated with copyright infringement and product counterfeiting in the U.S.

The problem does not end at our borders. International piracy costs our US-based industries many times that amount. Who pays the eventual cost to line the pockets of the scammers? YOU do. That pair of Nike running shoes includes a startling percentage to cover fraud. So while you're running around in your new shoes, remember to get mad.

Fight Fraud America.