What are the Risks in Manufacturing or Selling a Counterfeit Handbag?
Manufacturers and distributors of knock off handbags can be prosecuted under state and federal law for violating trademark and copyright laws. The sentence for counterfeit crimes varies widely depending on the quantity and the value of the goods, but can be very serious. In June 2004, 17 defendants charged with international counterfeit trafficking in New York faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $2 million. Sellers and distributors are liable even if they tell customers that the handbags are counterfeit. Moreover, manufactures and sellers of counterfeit handbags may also be sued in a civil suit by the company whose trademark is being infringed. Why does the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Care about Counterfeit Handbags? The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division of the DHS has an increasing interest in the trafficking of counterfeit handbags. According to the ICE, international terrorist networks rely on money coming from the sale of
