Tip #11 

Pirates, Not of the Caribbean

China Arrests 3001 in product piracy.

Fake Goods Cost Jobs.

Counterfeit products cost the global economy an estimated $600 billion.

Johnny Depp may cut quite the dashing figure in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, but the headlines tell the story that global piracy in the 21^st Century is no laughing matter. In fact, the next installment of the Pirates series, as profitable as it may turn out to be, will probably be pirated and available online and on the street before the first weekend of release is even halfway over.

While we all joke about buying a fake Rolex from the guy in the overcoat on the street corner, the sad fact is that product piracy is a global phenomenon that is by no means limited to digital media or fake timepieces. From seemingly insignificant products like toothpaste and cigarettes to jeans, electronics and even prescription drugs, the scope of the counterfeiter knows no bounds.

Contributing to the problem is the fact that one of the easiest things in the world to fake is a website. So what happens is that the counterfeiters not only can make fake products, but even clone where you buy from online so it looks exactly like the “real” site too. Almost seems perfect, except that while the fake products may look like the genuine article, they don’t work as well … plus, they certainly aren’t covered by warranties, or even made of tested materials.

And, in a surprising twist, the counterfeiters will even advertise models that the true company doesn’t even make. Just the other day, Monster received a Facebook message asking if the Monster Ferrari, Lamborghini and Kobe Bryant Headphones were real. Interesting ideas, but not ours and not Monster quality!

Monster is a part of a growing number of companies that believe product piracy must be confronted to insure you know there are fakes out there and how to protect yourself. The recent announcement by China that it arrested over 3000 people involved in counterfeiting is evidence that pressure can be placed on the pirates. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9LU4N281.htm 

Monster fans often ask us how they can tell bona fide Monster products from the fakes. Good question. We’d love to spell it out for you. The only problem is: so would the counterfeiters. By telling you, we’d only be telling the pirates how to make even better fakes and these days while the fakes don’t perform like Monster quality, they do look awfully close!

The advice that we always offer is to buy from an authorized Monster dealer. Best Buy, Apple, and many others as shown on our website are all authorized. But be careful, some sites like Amazon.com are authorized, but other retailers involved in the Amazon marketplace may not be. So, be careful to buy from the right people.

Oh, and there is one other bit of advice: if the price sounds too good to be true, it is.  Buyer beware!

For a list of authorized Monster Cable dealers, please visit: http://www.monstercable.com/where_to_buy/default.asp 

For a blacklist of known dealers of fake Monster products, please visit: http://www.monstercable.com/counterfeit/dealers_blk.asp

And, to report a suspected counterfeit Monster Cable product, please send an email with all details to legal@monstercable.com.

Monster Ferrari Headphones? Interesting idea, but not ours and definitely not Monster quality!