Counterfeit Products

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Counterfeit products include any product bearing an unauthorized representation of a manufacturer's trademark or trade name. Examples of products which have been counterfeited include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, clothing, credit cards, watches, pacemakers, and machine and automobile replacement parts. Because counterfeit products are often of sub-standard quality, there are potential safety risks which may cause personal injury as well as economic loss.

Avoiding counterfeit products takes practice. The following are usually associated with counterfeit products:

• incorrect, smeared or blurred product packaging
• incorrect spelling of brand name
• no warranty or guarantee available
• “unbelievably” low prices