Counterfeit Products within China – A New Twist to an Old Problem: Imitation Apple Retailers

This article is a study of the issues surrounding commercial counterfeiting in the context of China’s market. The article discusses the interrelationship of counterfeiting with branding, and outlines the scope of the problem in relation to the TRIPS Agreement, China’s membership in the WTO, and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The article highlights the “top ten” counterfeited products sold in the United States—many of which have their origins in China—in light of the recent revelations concerning “imitation retailers” such as Apple in China. The article concludes by discussing the October 2011 Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and points out that without China’s accession, the issue will certainly persist into the future.