copy branded products?

rheabs · 07-11-2007, 11:05 AM

Hi,
As we are all aware of copy Branded products such as Apple ect as i hear there is some dam good copys and not so good copys of such products..

I ask anyone on the forum with copys like apple ipods and i phones ect how can you really tell there copys...apart from the obvious "cheap" price ect..

Any Feedback on high selling branded products i would like to know please..

Sorry if this has been put out there before, please bare with me..

Thanks Members..

Weedog · 07-11-2007, 04:11 PM

First step is to check the serial numbers on the Apple site, This is not fool prove but a good easy way to start checking the product

**kyrool** · 07-11-2007, 05:14 PM

Aights, I can help out with the iPods part.

There are actually many ways to check out the authenticity of iPods through just pictures alone. iPod copies usually have a larger screen and they do not have a built in iPod connector at the bottom of the unit. They do not possess a hold button, and can clearly be identified by an on/off button instead. Also, if you actually take a look at the wheel of a copy of an iPod, there will be a volume button instead of a play button.

It would be good if you can ask for a product code of the iPods too before you get them. It will clearly distinguish whether the iPods are copies from genuines ones and you can determine which continent/region it is manufactured for. I'll give you an example:-

An 80GB Black Apple iPod Video would have a product code of MA450ZP/A . Different colours and models will have different codes. Don't be surprised to know that an Apple iPod of the same capacity and of the same model but of a different colour would have a different product code. Say a 4GB BLUE Apple iPod Nano would have a product code of MA428ZP/A while a 4GB SILVER Apple iPod Nano would have a product code of MA426ZP/A. In addition, the last three letters plays an important role to determine which continent/region is it manufactured for. Stocks for Asia (not inclusive of Japan and China) would end with a ZP/A, while stocks for the US would end with a LL/A.

Well, iPod copies do not have these product codes. These codes are actually not found on the back of the iPods. Do NOT mistake these codes for serial numbers as genuine serial numbers can be copied and embedded onto the back of replicas to give off a genuine look, so do not be fooled by serial numbers.

Also, when it comes to pictures, do ensure to ask a POS or request your supplier to have a picture of his stocks with a paper with your nick or name on it to ensure that the stocks are physically with him. This is a measure to heighten up your belief that the pictures are not taken from just any internet site.

Hope that helps, rheabs.

rheabs · 07-11-2007, 07:55 PM

Man That was a dam Good Post

Any News on the iphones or is that more or less the same?

Thanks Dude

**kyrool** · 07-11-2007, 08:50 PM

Ahh, the genuine iPhones are also easily identified by its distinct physical features. Take a look at this photo on this link.

http://www.trendhunter.com/photos/ip...ore-the-iphone

This is actually one of the best replica of the iPhone, the CECT P168. Except of cause, it has flaws too if you are comparing it with an authentic iPhone. You wouldn't need four eyes to notice that there's actually buttons or keypads on this phone. The iPhone for once doesn't have any keypads as it allows the user to primarily rely on the touch screen to navigate his way through.

That would be enough actually for you to spot a fake one. There are other tell tale signs of course, like how it's not running on an Apple software and that it has a 1.3 Megapixel camera instead of iPhone's 2 Megapixel.

China's overflowing with such replicas so much so that any Tom, **** and Harry can boast having an iPhone.

Oh, do you want to know what the Chinese named these phones?

rheabs · 07-11-2007, 08:52 PM

yep go on then..

**kyrool** · 07-11-2007, 08:54 PM

The "aifungs"

**greedyboy** · 07-11-2007, 09:00 PM

There are copies and there are copies. The majority are not being passed off as an iPhone, they are just a VERY similar designs.

sahmed · 08-11-2007, 02:38 PM

Isn't it illegal to make copy of brand items?

anotheruser · 08-11-2007, 02:47 PM

Yes. But it is also very hard to prove unless it is an exact replica, including logos etc.

If a designer in, say, USA and one in China are contemporaries, and the one in USA makes a great design which is a commercial success, how do you prove the Chinese designer's creation isn't simply "inspired by" something he has only glanced at in a magazine, arguing it can't therefore be a copy?

Unlikely as it may be, a court needs hard evidence, not opinion. And when the designer is not trying to pass it off as the original, even if coming pretty damned close to it, what crime is he committing?