Protecting brand New Zealand
Counterfeiting is one of the fastest growing economic crimes of modern times. Innovative and cost-effective technology solutions are now able to tackle the issue head on. By now we’re all familiar with how illegal copying has both disrupted and impacted the music business. When it comes to counterfeiting food products, our local food and beverage exporters are now very much at risk, along with the reputation of ‘brand New Zealand’ as a trusted source of goods.
The threat to both businesses and consumers is very real. Consumers could purchase an item that may not be up to quality standards, or face health and safety risks when using a contaminated or fake product. As a result, businesses can face legal action, loss of revenue and reputation damage.
http://itbrief.co.nz/story/protecting-brand-new-zealand/
Lear More
Cigarette Smuggling vs. Tobacco Taxes: Which Is Worse?
Rampant cigarette smuggling isn’t the problem in New York–“sky-high” tobacco taxes are, according to an op-ed by Patrick M. Gleason, director of state affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, in The Wall Street Journal.
Gleason’s opinion piece, titled “A Laffer Curve for Smokes,” digested here, takes the city and state of New York to task for their $180-million lawsuit against UPS over what officials allege was unlawful delivery of nearly 700,000 cartons of cigarettes. (A Laffer curve, named for economist Arthur Laffer, shows the relationship between rates of taxation and levels of government revenue.)
Lear More
Undercover investigators highlight illicit tobacco trade in Gateshead
Illegal cigarettes seized as part of a raid on Tyneside could contain human faeces, rat droppings or dead flies. A team of undercover investigators uncovered “widespread” trade in illicit tobacco on a two-day visit to Gateshead. Former Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Will O’Reilly led the test purchase operation on Tuesday and Wednesday across the borough. Since November 2011, Will has been conducting the research on behalf of Philip Morris International (PMI) – the global cigarette and tobacco company, which includes Marlboro among its products – to check on new counterfeits and to raise economic and health issues related to the black market.
Lear More
Cigarette Smuggling vs. Tobacco Taxes: Which Is Worse?
Rampant cigarette smuggling isn’t the problem in New York–“sky-high” tobacco taxes are, according to an op-ed by Patrick M. Gleason, director of state affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, in The Wall Street Journal.
Gleason’s opinion piece, titled “A Laffer Curve for Smokes,” digested here, takes the city and state of New York to task for their $180-million lawsuit against UPS over what officials allege was unlawful delivery of nearly 700,000 cartons of cigarettes. (A Laffer curve, named for economist Arthur Laffer, shows the relationship between rates of taxation and levels of government revenue.)
Lear More
Xiaomi’s biggest rival is not Apple or Samsung, it is counterfeiters: Bloomberg
In a new revelation, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun has confirmed that besides chief rivals Apple and Samsung, the biggest competition the company faces today is from counterfeiters. Bloomberg reports that fake products are eating into Xiaomi’s sales massively, so much so, that if they didn’t exist the sales figure for Xiaomi’s products would double or triple.
Giving an example, Jun said that the sale of Mi Power Banks was less than half of what it should have been last year. “What is the biggest problem? There are many fakes,” he said. “If there were no counterfeits, our sales would be double or triple. The product has been recognized by everyone.”
http://www.bgr.in/news/xiaomis-biggest-rival-is-not-apple-or-samsung-it-is-counterfeiters-bloomberg/
Lear MoreTobacco smugglers captured
THIRTY-THREE members of an alleged tobacco smuggling group have been arrested in Algeciras by the Guardia Civil. Operation Kozel saw 15 bars and establishments where tobacco was sold, searched and 41 vehicles, €33,000 in cash and tobacco smuggled across the border from Gibraltar confiscated. Police investigations began when the Guardia Civil detected a group of people in La Linea de la Concepcion they suspected were bringing tobacco across the border to distribute it all over Andalucia. The group, which used hidden compartments in vehicles and also hid tobacco inside their clothing to avoid detection at customs, is believed to have earned approximately €192,000 per year.
Lear More
Xiaomi Confronts Counterfeits as Fake Products Eat Into Sales
Xiaomi Corp., the Chinese smartphone vendor that overtook Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. in the world’s largest market, now faces another foe: counterfeiters.
Sales of the company’s Mi Power Bank battery pack for smartphones hit 14.6 million units last year, less than half what the total should have been, Chief Executive Officer Lei Jun said at a press conference at the company’s headquarters in Beijing Thursday.
“What is the biggest problem? There are many fakes,” Lei said. “If there were no counterfeits, our sales would be double or triple. The product has been recognized by everyone.”
Lear More
Download: Amazon suing websites over fake product reviews
When you’re shopping, how much do you rely on online reviews?
The Seattle Times reports that Amazon is suing three websites for posting fake product reviews.
The lawsuit alleges these companies are paid to act as a middle man for Amazon sellers, sometimes blasting competitors with false or misleading user reviews and charging more than $20 per post. Positive reviews are thought to boost sales, but fake reviews have long-undermined the system, making it hard to distinguish between real ones and frauds.
http://fox8.com/2015/04/09/download-amazon-suing-websites-over-fake-product-reviews/
Lear MoreFake wonder cream experiment shows why you can’t trust a clinical trial
This is Rejuvalize, the miracle product that’s so effective 100 per cent of users in clinical trials said it made their skin feel more youthful.
A further 98 per cent noticed a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and 80 per cent reported that it made them look younger and healthier. The only catch is that this is a made-up product, created by mixing $2.99 home-brand sorbolene moisturiser with a squirt of Aloe Vera After-Sun Care to make it smell nice.The fake face cream was dreamed up by Kirsten Drysdale and the team from ABC’s The Checkout, which returns to our screens tonight at 8pm
Lear More
Fake Apple watches spring up in China ahead of official launch
Dozens of unofficial retailers in China are offering fake Apple watches for around USD 55. In the teeming electronics district of the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, dozens of unofficial retailers are offering local replicas of the soon-to-be launched Apple Watch. Selling for around USD 55, they promise a range of functions including messaging, phone calls and video. Unlike the genuine Apple products, however, new apps cannot be downloaded.
Lear More