Judges Say Google Background Checks Are Okay

That Fake Rolex You Buy In China May Cost You More Than The Real Thing

from the after-customs-has-its-way-with-you dept

Wed, May 9th 2007 9:54pm — Mike Masnick

Petréa Mitchell writes in to let us know about yet another case where trademark protection is being abused. "A guy decided to bring back some obviously fake Rolexes from China as souvenirs for his family. This was probably not a bright idea in any case, but US Customs thinks it's worth fining him $55,300. The fine is allegedly based on the street value of real Rolex watches, but he points out that there's no way anyone would pay a full Rolex price for fakes as obvious as these. The government says he should be glad it's only $55,300, because if Rolex had gotten personally involved it could have been $100,000... per watch." This one raises all sorts of questions. The thing is, buying these fake Rolexes shouldn't be against the law -- selling them should be. However, the guy wasn't caught selling them. Either way, while aren't there more important things for Customs to be doing than fining people for wearing fake Rolexes?

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65 Comments

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IronChef, 9 May 2007 @ 10:08pm

Qty Brought back?
Before we start questioning the fine, we should ask how many was he bringing back.

Because it wasn't disclosed in the liked article, I guess they were good forgeries and subsequently fooled customs. Possibly he deserves the fine levied?
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John McArthur, 9 May 2007 @ 10:10pm

Learn from me
That's why I always bring back Festinas.
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Casey, 9 May 2007 @ 10:24pm

RE: Qty brought back
He brought 8 watches back. 1 for each of his kids and grandkids. he was wearing one of them, the other 7 were in his bags.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 May 2007 @ 10:35pm

Either way, while aren't there more important things for Customs to be doing than fining people for wearing fake Rolexes?

er... the "more important" things are already being taken care of by Lucky and Flo!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 May 2007 @ 10:59pm

Scary
As someone who has lived in China for a few years and brings back fake crap all the time, I think this is freaken scary. You couldn't buy legit stuff here even if you wanted to. I'd have to come back naked if I didn't take anything fake or IP-infringing.
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- Miguel A. Alarcon, 26 Jul 2007 @ 6:28pm
  
  Re: Scary
  That is not just scary it is called smart bussiness selling fake Rolexes for about 10 grand or more what is the price of the real thing is called smart bussiness and that is making money smartly.
  
  How many people in South America sell fake Rolexes and keep the real ones for themselves ? Well it will be alot of course if you have China on your side will you like to do this on an authrized Rolex dealer in the US on in any part of the world just to keep the shipment from Switzerland in the warehouse or just for promo and sell the Chinese fakes for the price of the real thing, well that is called working smart and China is the miracle place to have to real thing Rolex wathces soterd not even sold just for the kepts of having a lot of the real thing is it nice to work that way man I bet you will sell more Chinese fakes for the price of the real thing and you'll make more money and lots of effort.
  
  Selling fake Rolexes to convince that people are buying the real thing is the biggest pride of people that do that if you don't do that it is called making money stupidly making smart money is being an athurized Rolex dealer just to keep the real ones for themselves and selling ordering the Chinese fakes by going to China or Hong Kong to buy the same amount of the number of the real Rolex watches but their the knockoffs to sell them in the price of the real ones is called working smart and that is why China is contributed the pride of selling fake Rolex watches.
  
  That is why when some small time Rolex dealers autherized by Rolex of Switzerland in Colombia kept the real ones with selling it and you see a bunch of Colombians going to China and Hong Kong to buy a bunch of Rolex knockoffs to sell them for the price of the real thing back home that is how smart to work with Rolex fakes.
  
  If you sell it for 300 dollars that is called stupid bussiness if you sell the phony Rolex for the price of the real thing is called smart bussiness and that is called working smart the best trick in the book is to concive the people that you are selling the real thing that is the best and smart way to sell a phony Rolex.
  
  Please let people work smart by selling phony Rolex watches with the price tag of a real one, Just let them work smart man!
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Anonymous Coward, 9 May 2007 @ 10:59pm

Scary
As someone who has lived in China for a few years and brings back fake crap all the time, I think this is freaken scary. You couldn't buy legit stuff here even if you wanted to. I'd have to come back naked if I didn't take anything fake or IP-infringing.
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- Petréa Mitchell, 10 May 2007 @ 9:16am
  
  Re: Scary
  "I'd have to come back naked if I didn't take anything fake or IP-infringing."
  
  Look on the bright side-- you'd get through security a lot faster!
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  - DittoBox, 10 May 2007 @ 11:46am
    
    Re: Re: Scary
    I wouldn't bet on it. They'll just find other hiding places for drugs or bombs or whatever our Glorious Leaders have decided we're at war with right now.
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dav3, 9 May 2007 @ 11:30pm

yes...
The American government, and it's agencies, are retarded.
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Chris, 10 May 2007 @ 12:46am

What's more retarded?
First off what the hell is the Homeland Security Department doing with anything regarding trademarks, copywright, etc... Protect my ass, not companies, within the united states from outside attacks (the physical kind that involve people dying, not their over gratuitous incomes). Second, you can't sue an individual for buying fake anything, you can however sue the seller, if they actualy use you're exact trademark. Although I guess why not just fine joe schmoe on home soil instead of incuring any actualy costs when the legal system fully warreats it? Also lets give a big round of applause to whatever idiot made the site where the originating article is hosted. You're a news agency, this means you should make all information that you have accessable to anyone, anytime; having to sumbit any information to you to continue on to the end of an article is just plain !)#*%ing idiotic.
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CorpsRuleMen, 10 May 2007 @ 1:32am

Parallel Importing
So a man comes through customs gets searched and his fake rolex watches are confiscated and he's fined $55,000.

This is to protect the commercial interests of the importer of Rolexes, because otherwise their business image might be hurt.

Their only right to use that name is a civil contract with Rolex in Switzerland. The Government is enforcing this civil right directly to protect the commercial interests of the importer of Rolexes.

Their right to money exceeds his right to money.

VISTA:
UK Government rejected a petition to do something about the high price of MS Vista in the UK.

In the 80's and 90's software was imported by grey (parallel) importers into the UK from US and sold cheaper.
Real US software, sold to the UK.
So vendors of software could not sell software at a high price in the UK and cheaper elsewhere - the UK could always get the best world price for any goods because parallel importers kept the price down.

Blair's government added a change in Copyright law that made importing goods for which an exclusive agreement for that market exists, illegal.

The consequence of this is the high price of Vista in the UK. The UK is no longer allowed to source the cheapest version of Vista.

Commercial right trumps free market.
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- Jam, 14 Oct 2014 @ 11:44am
  
  Re: Parallel Importing
  So is that why something cost $200 must cost £200 in the UK? We get a bad deal in the uk with all the stealth tax VAT, food and fuel and cost of living increase even so everything is going down the pan.
  I remember last time I went to the states and told the holiday firm how much I took home and they said am I poor which I replied no that's the average wage in the uk I noticed that the same job I did in the US paid about nearly double in dollars to the UK.
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yx, 10 May 2007 @ 2:47am

Parallel Importing
Uh, I thought the EU had rules that stated that parallel importing is legal from within another EU country.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Free Market, 10 May 2007 @ 3:07am

Free Market
Free Market is an illusion.
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- Shut the fuck, 10 May 2007 @ 4:00pm
  
  Re: Free Market
  Shouldn't you be out protesting somewhere?
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fpthree, 10 May 2007 @ 4:02am

that is such bs. wouldn't it be nice if he was able to sue the co that manufactured the watches. :P maybe he could make a profit.
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CorpsRuleMen, 10 May 2007 @ 5:03am

Parallel Importing EU->UK Yes, US->UK No
"I thought the EU had rules that stated that parallel importing is legal from within another EU country. "

Correct, UK law includes the EU exception in order to comply with the EU law.

USA is not in the EU, so the English language USA version of Vista cannot be imported. None English language version (e.g. I'm typing this on the French version of Windows) do not change to English, even if you select English language.

You can't do much about MS dividing the EU by language (well not without a lawsuit from the Commission anyway), but the block on importing US Vista is purely a UK only thing, and was introduced with a change to the copyright bill.
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JoeBob, 10 May 2007 @ 5:33am

So we're all surprised at yet another example of how the US government spends significant resources to ensure that corporate interests trump individual liberties?
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Anonymous Coward, 10 May 2007 @ 5:58am

Jesus, he's only bring back for personal uses. Besides US government should punish consumers. I don't think they can do anything about it. And they definitely shouldn't from a consumer's viewpoint.
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Deirdre' Straughan, 10 May 2007 @ 6:20am

In Italy, it is illegal to purchase fakes from street vendors, even when you obviously know it's a fake, on the theory that this only encourages the fakers.
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MEoip, 10 May 2007 @ 6:29am

Memory
Memory I brought back $10,000 worth of fake memories from Russia I can’t wait for my fines to start rolling in.
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Bassboat, 10 May 2007 @ 6:38am

rolex
how would you feel if you owned rolex?
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- Norman, 10 May 2007 @ 7:15am
  
  Re: rolex
  Like nothing was really done since the MANUFACTURER is the one pumping this stuff out. Busting a man who wasn't going to sell this crap in the first place does nothing at all to help FOLEX. :-) This is like how the police bust street corner drug dealers but can't do jack about the suppliers. Same shit different look. But in this case they busted the equivilent to a medical marijuana user. How stupid is this?
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- charlie brown, 5 Jan 2012 @ 7:44pm
  
  Re: rolex
  Rolex is a SWISS company.... US laws to not protect them no more than the Swiss goveornment gave a rats ass about all the US money laundering through its swiss bank accounts
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- Dan Hackman, 1 Jan 2014 @ 11:23pm
  
  Re: rolex
  Hah. That is the funniest question posed in the history of any thread commentary, ever!
  
  How would I feel about this story (or fakes in general) if I owned a Rolex? I own a real Rolex, btw!
  
  Um, I wouldn't care. I couldn't care less if companies rolled fake Rolexes out of the warehouses quicker than the US Mint prints Benjamins.
  
  Dan Hackman
  Bloomington, MN
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Jack Sparrow, 10 May 2007 @ 6:40am

Amazing!!! Again!!!
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha

I can't stop. That's no serious, that's it?

Be honest, you can buy all kind of fake stuff on the streets of Manhatan. Under the mustache of the cops, with his 1001 utilities batman' belts and bulldog faces!

Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha
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Anonymous Coward, 10 May 2007 @ 7:51am

Dear Republican National Committee,

Your donation check is in the mail. Keep up the good work!

Rolex Corporation USA
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Zoli Erdos, 10 May 2007 @ 7:58am

Buy then in NY
Why go through all the trouble... get the same cheap fakes on Canal St in New York :-)
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Peter, 10 May 2007 @ 8:17am

Rolex
Good thing they didnt look in his other bag. As I understand he had 4 kilos of cocaine. Sounds like it cost him $55k to make $250k.
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sam, 10 May 2007 @ 8:26am

so mike...

you're stating that the consumer of the illegal function shouldn't be puniushed.. even though they know the item/service that they're engaging in is illegal...

cool... hope you stay consistent..

someone rips off your car. sells it to me/gives it to me. if i get caught, you'll come to my aid right?!! you'll argue that i'm just the consumer, i didn't do anything wrong... or will your argument change?

just curious...

part of the legal issue for punishing the person who commits the crime, as well as the person who might 'knowingly' benefit from the action is to deter people from gaining from illegal activity. there's also a theory that states that this kind of action reduces the profit motive for the person who commits the crime...

but you already know this....

peace
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Will, 10 May 2007 @ 9:07am

Plausible Deniability
How did he know they were fake? Maybe they just caught his eye and he felt the need to buy them. Maybe he had never heard of Rolex?

The point I'm trying to make is that it's a hefty burden to expect consumers to authenticate their purchases. I bought a Burberry shirt on eBay once and it took me about 10 minutes to determine it was a fake, it was so realistic. And yes, that was inadvertant. I only wear the real deal, and I pay the real price for my goods.
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- Mischa, 10 May 2007 @ 5:51pm
  
  Re: Plausible Deniability
  Yes, he knew they were fake. If you follow the link, the guy who bought the watches says they were cheap obvious fakes. Something you might find at a Dollar Store.
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CorpsRuleMen, 10 May 2007 @ 1:37pm

Illegal?
"you're stating that the consumer of the illegal function shouldn't be puniushed.. even though they know the item/service that they're engaging in is illegal..."

$55,000? $100,000 per infringement?

It's not him thats doing the copying, it's the guy making the fake Rolexes. When Rolex copies a design, it's a civil matter and the company has to take Rolex to court. If you bought one of those Rolex's that infringes on other peoples IP rights, you would not be fined.

But when people copy Rolex's design, in the USA, out of all proportion, the person who bought the Rolexes is treated the same the person making them and faces stiff penalties.

It's unbalanced and unreasonable.

It's like Rolex can steal your car and you have to sue to get it back, but if you stole Rolex's car, the police come around and take the car and your house in compensation.
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Jamie, 10 May 2007 @ 3:52pm

Which law did he break?
I'm still trying to figure out which law was broken here.

Trademark law is designed to prevent sellers from passing off goods made by someone other than the trademark holder. For example, it prevents Bob from selling Bob's Cola as Coca Cola. The guy here is clearly not selling the watches. He is giving them to his family as presents. This in itself is not a breach of trademark.

I'm not sure if there are any parallel importing laws in place which would have an effect here. However, based on the text in the article, it seems there aren't.

So what exactly is this guy guilty of?
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- Poor Dreamer, 5 Dec 2009 @ 6:24am
  
  Re: Which law did he break?
  What if you are found making a plastic balloon in the shape of a Rolex, or a birthday cake with a Rolex drawing on it...
  ...will you be fined also?
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Anonymous Coward, 10 May 2007 @ 8:22pm

call it by it's real name
The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power.

Franklin D. Roosevelt
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- Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2010 @ 3:56am
  
  Re: call it by it's real name
  Your're half right, with the big rich cooperations in the US, it is like facism. but a more correct term would be monarchy, with couple of more rich kings in the same country.
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Petréa Mitchell, 11 May 2007 @ 9:11am

Happy ending
The charges have now been dropped.
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- Imperialist empathizer, 15 May 2007 @ 7:03pm
  
  Re: Happy ending
  Glad it turned out okay. You must have been in shock. Glad the customs agents didn't press charges. Your just a working guy. Anyone would've bought it at those prices and they probably would've done the same thing you did. Why not? Not everyone can afford the real thing.
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|333173|3|_||3, 12 May 2007 @ 2:02am

Trademark infringement, not copyvio
At worst he would have been a witting victim of trademark infringement, not a purcheser of pirated watches. I would very much doubt that anhy Rolex patent would have been infringed on by a maker of very cheap knock-offs, and the design would be very unlikely to be copyrightable, since the design of a watch body is unlikely to contain any work of originality. Provided he did not intend to sell or otherwise deistribute the watches, IANAL, but there appears to be no crime commited here except for upsetting Rolex USA.
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John, 14 May 2007 @ 2:50pm

IPR
International Property Rights. I love to bring back an occasional watch replica -- But I never kid myself into thinking it is either right or legal.

What is really funny -- is if you go to China - and buy Fake Rolex watches - and pay them with counterfit American money :)
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Ed D, 10 Jun 2007 @ 2:14pm

Rolex
Just took my Rolex in for service here in Toronto
$5oo. for complete service... People wonder why fakes are so popular??
P.S. They also told me Geneva is no longer making parts for my model
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Takinacrippler, 24 Jul 2007 @ 8:21am

Fines for Folex's
He should have got some cheap Rolex look alikes at WAL-MART. They are the same exact chinese watches except they don't have the Rolex logo on them.
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James Colabove, 27 Jul 2007 @ 10:42am

The guy was dumb
While I admit that the authorities may have taken this a little to far to "set an example" The guy was clearly not the brightest bulb. EVERY single time I have traveled abroad, on the way back(usually on the aircraft) I was given a customs declaration form to fill out. He should have read the fine print. Also going all the way to China to buy fake Rolexes is kind of stupid, when you can buy them in the market district of any major US city. That being said, there are PLENTY of very high quality watches around that are much lower priced and keep way better time than a real Rolex. I would not give a fake watch, handbag etc. to any of my family members. Maybe to a co-worker as a gag gift, that's about it.
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James Colabove, 27 Jul 2007 @ 10:42am

The guy was dumb
While I admit that the authorities may have taken this a little to far to "set an example" The guy was clearly not the brightest bulb. EVERY single time I have traveled abroad, on the way back(usually on the aircraft) I was given a customs declaration form to fill out. He should have read the fine print. Also going all the way to China to buy fake Rolexes is kind of stupid, when you can buy them in the market district of any major US city. That being said, there are PLENTY of very high quality watches around that are much lower priced and keep way better time than a real Rolex. I would not give a fake watch, handbag etc. to any of my family members. Maybe to a co-worker as a gag gift, that's about it.
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James Rudy, 18 Nov 2007 @ 10:01am

Third paties Rights! How to work around US law.
I got a question here, because I run a successful replica stricly online business.

Try this out and see if it fits.

When selling fakes, Make it clear, that you are not the seller, that you clearly disclaim authenticity somewhere in fine print, accept no warranties, take no posession of physical goods, are not an expert, but are only a sourcing agent connecting buyers with sellers for a fee. The seller is China, where trademark law does not exist,and is therefore free to sell any so-called infringing item to anyone anywhere. Clearly state you are a third party collecting a finder's fee from the sale of the item, and remaining funds are forwarded to the seller (china). Trademark laws (or so-called intellectual property rights) have different meaning in different jurisdictions. Not every country (china) recognizes such law. And in theory, you (a US citizen) operating a strictly online busines, drop shipping items, never actually seeing them, and being honest with buyers (in fine print) disclaiming everything. And ALWAYS offering a REFUND policy, THIS is how I operate my very lucrative knock-off business, and while I still may get in trouble I HAVE A HUGE DEFENSE. I dont see 'em, I never have 'em, They are shipped by a country it is legal to do so in, and I am strictly online, so its not like its a business operating on nation soil. The internet last time I checked is owned by no country. I could be completely missing something here, but this is how I do it, this is how i keep it. To remain completely out of a trace of legal trouble, best practictices maybe just move out of the USA. Also, Certain High Risk Merchant Accounts will allow you to accept credit cards, and sell people FAKES. These are harder to aquire, and are offshore banks, with high rates, but yup it's legal. Dont expect to find paypal or any US based merchant account to allow you to do this.

My 2 cents.
James Rudy
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Me, 24 Nov 2007 @ 12:51pm

Give him a slap on the hand.
Ok, who has traveled abroad and not bought a fake Rolex?? I prefer the one's made in Hong Kong they tend to be of a better quality. I have had one for 10 years and have 8 other ones to wear as well. But the old saying is don't do the crime if you can't pull the time. ( Or pay the money)
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Amazed, 17 Mar 2008 @ 6:08pm

Rolex Knock Offs
So we bust someone bringing back fake Rolex's. I just searched the web and can buy 100's of fakes in the US from $50 to $200 bucks. So why isn't customs or the trade comission cracking down.....
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A mere peasant, 18 Mar 2008 @ 8:18am

Not suprised by that ruling.
That poor man, I feel that the worst case scenario, he should have to ship the items back, and/or maybe have the option of serving in jail for a month, Community service for 160 hours , or pay $5000 total in fines one of those three (worst case one of those). (We have rapist and murders that get off easier than that, that's how messed up our government is) Basically what’s happening is the government is punishing a man, for taking pennies from a major corporation. I think that the governments’ way of “making an example” of that man is absolutely infuriating and disappointing. In 20 years they’ll probably bring back hanging, shooting people, or forcing them into slave labor(prison for minor crimes which they have now) and then “making an example” will take on a new face. The government is slowly starting to oppress the people (it's no secret). Which if I’m wrong is why we revolted against the British to begin with, due to taxes (very high now), and strict laws which (we have now example above). Now we're having that all happen over again in modern times it's called justice and contributing to your country's oppressive power it’s only a matter of time before people just need to wake up and protest about everything it's has to stop... Things like these need to stop It’s ridiculous the government was basically designed to protect the people, not legally make them slaves (my point of view) or take their hard earned money. Just a thought from a peasant but really land of the free should be land of the legally oppressed. I hate to say that but look around you. Rich people sure they love how everything is working out but, everyone else well tough luck go to college (good luck finding a decent job unless you mom or dad has some pull). Another thing is it's easy to inherit a business but to create one now is near impossible thanks to all the laws.
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GregB, 23 Mar 2008 @ 11:57am

Kudos to the U.S. Customs Service!
Illegal replica being purchased and resold in the U.S. by thoughtless clods are destroying the watch collecting hobby. In addition, replica watches are being used by scammers to defraud thousands of people on numerous online auction and retail sites.

It's a sad note that counterfeiting has become so pervasive in our society that people seem to have forgotten that these fake goods are illegal. It's also a sad moral statement about our society that even those who do know the counterfeit products are illegal, choose to purchase them anyway.
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MD, 28 Mar 2008 @ 2:23pm

Fake Rolex
First, the obvious crime was importing in sufficient quantity to suggest it was a reseller operation. (Like drugs, I assume if you are caught with sufficient quantities, there's an automatic assumption in law of "trafficking"). Where do you draw the line? 1, 3, 5, 10? If it's too high, the smuggler could just recruit large families of "mules".
Secondly, when you go through customs, all bets are off. They can ask you questions that are illegal for officers on the street. If you are a foreigner, they can arbitraily refuse you entry and then you have to (a) return home at your own expense and (b) file expensive papers to beg for the right to be let into the land of the free. If you lie on the customs form, all bets are off; so you MUST incriminate yourself. I bet he was clever enough to tell them "oh, yeah, I have a few fake rolexes" and the customs guy was having a bad day.
The real crime here is the made-in-Disneyland IP policy with overly punitive fines. This is the same law, bought and paid for by big business, that says sharing a song is a $50,000 crime, with no proof of any damages required. (The constitutionality argument is winding through the courts still - is this cruel and unusual punishment?).
The real lesson in fakes is, what is the real value of an item? If I can slap "Prada" or "Rolex" or "Gucci" on something and it looks like it's worth 100 times more, something is wrong.
Oddly, Canal street does not sell fake Gucci or Armani suits or Jimmy Cho shoes or BMW cars - the difference between real markup and perceived value is not good enough there, so the difference between "real value" (what most people want to pay for it) and what the real makers charge for it, must be much smaller.
Most brands are just a billboard for status; humans are monkeys fighting for pack dominance and will take the shortcut of fake status symbols to enhance their prestige and appear higher on the tree than they are.
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Dickforshort, 25 Mar 2009 @ 11:09am

Fake Rolex
Real people buy real products. Fake people buy fake products.
Why can't we just all live together in peace!
Holy mother of God!
Any company that sells a watch or purse for $100K is just asking for trouble. Rolex didn't lose a potential customer here.
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guydanieli (profile), 24 Sep 2009 @ 5:19am

Copyright !?!
Copyright doesn't concern fake or imitation of Rolex.
To be illegal, those what you call fake Rolex must be similar to the real Rolex. And they are not! They look like a Rolex like Citizen does too.
What parts in those Rolex immitations have in common with a 'real Rolex' .NONE! The movement is different, the maeking is different, the Rolex logo is different, the arms are different, The gold plated parts are different etc...So, what copyright problem do we have here? Those watches have nothing in common with the real Rolex. Do we have to sue a Toyota because they use the same body than a Honda? Today, a lot of cars have the same look. So, is it copyright problem?? I do not think so. We can see that in the Jean's business and in the entire fashion business. You can copy a Levi's jeans. You just have to add a detail or not to put the brand at the same pocket ! So, in this case, Ido not see copyright problem. But if you record a DVD , it's another story(In the US anyway) because your copy will be exactely the same that the original is and...Anyway, the picture printed on it, you will not be able to do the same think. So, ....! If cannot copy, why they sell recorders for 60 years and VCR and DVD burners etc...This law is not realistic about Rolex
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Dec 2009 @ 8:42am

First, I agree with comment 45 and 49. Our country is falling apart in that we are becoming oppressive. Look at Russia so many oppressive laws not to mention total economic meltdown now look at our country we're beginning to surpass Russia's laws we now have more laws than Russia and not surprisingly our country’s economy is slipping. We will not recover from this economic downfall. It's too late I believe it is anyway. Its thanks to Judges such as this one due to their inability to be lenient (more so in other cases) and we are all suffering for it. I would gladly give up my citizenship from America to a country such as Canada or France free socialized healthcare, education (look at the statistics Google it most of them have their homes paid for, and don’t have bills) and a more lenient intelligent judicial system.
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Dan, 18 Aug 2010 @ 4:47pm

Fake Rolexes
If you owned a company and invested hundreds of millions in branding and someone was selling knock-offs for $200US, you too would be angry. If someone can produce a good fake, it devalues the real thing. I suppose proponents of this also make illegal copies of software too.
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Dickn52, 19 Sep 2011 @ 4:20pm

Fake Rolex seizure
Well, having been a US Customs Inspector at a major airport, and having come across these fake Rolex imports, I can only add that circumstances determine everything. the man willfully hid the fakes, which implies a knowledge of the law. We called it mitigating circumstances. These different acts increase or decrease the penalty assessed. The max would be about 8x the loss of revenue or higher. The appropriate duty is based on actual value declared, or with knowledge that can be adjusted. Duty is approximately 5.2% of the value. It's more complicated than that, but that's close. So if the guy had 8 watches that might have been worth (if real) 20,000 each. Then the penalty could have been at 8x=$83,000. He got off light. Don't smuggle. As for the number...1. You can bring back 1 (one) fake anything for personal use. It's a bending, not a breaking of the law. More than one, you give one up or we seized both and hammered you.
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Omega, 6 Sep 2013 @ 8:16pm

Rolex
I think this is great. With as much money as United States companies loose with intellectual property theft and trademark theft we should be brutal about this issue. The Swiss, not just Rolex, take their watch making VERY seriously at all 600 or so companies. We can't expect the world to be serious about supporting our products if we dont take a stand for theirs.Go through any border in Europe and watch what happens and yes they can spot most brands. Better yet send a fake watch to get serviced but kiss it good bye first. I dont like unreasonable laws any more than anyone but this is a huge issue. Imagine if you made a crafted product and someone not only immitated it but put your name on it. You know you would have a fit.
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Andre Golvano, 12 Sep 2014 @ 10:18am

Rolex
I agree that the buyer shouldn't be judge againts the law.. But The Fake seller should be punished..
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Bobby, 7 Jan 2015 @ 11:06pm

Rolex watches
Never ever buy a fake rolex wAtch! That us so bad. If you can't afford the real thing just buy a each from a different brand that kinda looks like a rolex. Just whatever you do don't buy a fake watch that says rdc on it but it rely is t
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morad, 5 Oct 2016 @ 1:19pm

watches
I've found this interesting! Guys just sharing. Check it out! nixon51-30.com
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2018 @ 1:26pm

It's illegal
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2018 @ 1:38pm

It's illegal because it diminishes the value of a genuine Rolex. For a company with such high esteem and sells the Brand name just as much as the watches themselves, flooding the market with fakes affects the desired image and prestige of owning a real one, something Rolex has worked hard to establish over the years. It's like buying a kit car and fooling people into thinking it's a Lamborghini. If you work hard to buy one, you dont want people getting dap for a knockoff, not to mention the value of an original. It's all about brand recognition, that's where their profits lie.
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Credit card payment gateway
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Robert Quinn, 5 Jun 2019 @ 11:49pm

Rolex watches
If you buy a replica from noob factory which is one of the best replica builders you won't see any difference. Even the laser logo at the 6 o clock position is there. Fot this ultimate AAA+ version you have to pay 400-600 USD, but it's every penny worth. I have my GMT Master 2 since 2 years now and there is no scratch or something other issue.

There is only one difference between a original Rolex and a replica.

One is made in Switzerland and the other made in China - That's all
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