
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.
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Judiciary Sensitization Programme On Smuggling, Counterfeiting And Piracy, Cuttack
11/4/2015 | Odisha State Judicial Academy,Cuttack
FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) in association with the Odisha State Judicial Academy organized a Judiciary Sensitization Programme on Smuggling, Counterfeiting and Piracy on April 11 at the Odisha Judicial Academy, located at Cuttack. The objective of the roundtable was to focus on issues and challenges, which the Judiciary is expected to address in resolving IP disputes in view of the changing scenario of technology and trade policies, and evolving of the law on the subject.
Hon’bleJustice Mr. I. Mahanty, Chairman, Odisha State Judicial Academy, the Chief Guest on the occasion, stated that the judiciary wasat the vanguard in taking appropriate actions against all forms of corruption where counterfeiting, smuggling and piracy were its worst form. These illicit activities hit the economic independence of the nation and werelike an economic cancer impacting all strata of society. Hence, it becomes imperative for the judiciary to deal with it appropriately. Actions of the judiciary and the strictness of the actions was the key. Thanking FICCI CASCADE for itssensitization programmes on a topical issue,Justice Mahantyobserved such initiatives would enable the Judiciary to better understand the severity of the growing problem of economic offences and the need to address it firmly.
Mr. P. C. Jha, Ex-Chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE,in his address,informed that a recently released study by FICCI CASCADE titled ‘Illicit Markets – A Threat to our National Interest’ had estimated that due to illicit trade, loss to manufacturing related sectors had increased by 44.4% in just two years, from ₹ 72,969 crores in 2011-12 to ₹105,381 in 2013-14.
The total loss to the government for manufacturing industries, estimated for 2014, on account of the illicit markets was ₹ 39,239 crores. Mr. Jha also added that the penal provisions in the law and the delay in inflicting the penalties, which were largely inadequate, were not being able to create the desired deterrence. He emphasized that this serious problem could be dealt with only if there was sincere commitment at consumers, government and media levels. Further, this commitment must lead to taking result-oriented effective enforcement steps, in a sustained manner, over a long period of time.
Mr. Arun Chawla, Asst. Secretary General, FICCI, while welcoming the dignitaries and guests, stated that the costs of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling were not only real, but also huge. With the increase in global trade and technological revolution, there has been an increase in economic crimes. Offences relating to piracy, smuggling and counterfeiting have increased manifold in global market as a result of which the government, businesses, society and consumers are losing millions of rupees.Protection of legitimate right holders isnot only a vital element in encouraging research and innovation, international trade and investment, but also sound economic growth and development. Mr. Chawla also shared the initiatives of FICCI CASCADE in fighting the perils of smuggling and counterfeiting.
The inaugural session was followed by technical sessions. Eminent speakers fromStar India, ITC Ltd, Microsoft Corporations India Ltd, British Deputy High Commission, Thought Arbitrage Research Institute and Delhi University discussed and deliberated on various aspects such as Legal Provisions relating to Offences & Penalties for Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Speedy Adjudication of Economic Offences for the Growth of Indian Industry, International Best Practices for Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Combating Content Theft in M&E Industry, Illicit Market: Threat to National Security and Case Study & Laws related to Smuggling, Counterfeiting & Piracy.
The day-long programme was attended by over 70 trainee judges and a number of sitting high court judges.
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.”
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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
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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.
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44% increase in manufacturing sector losses due to illicit trade: study
Illicit trade in seven major manufacturing sectors has increased industry losses by 44 per cent in two years, said a study. Government tax (direct and indirect) losses have also increased almost 50 per cent to Rs 39,239 crore in 2014, from Rs 26,190 crore in 2012 due to this.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and the Committee Against Smuggling And Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (Cascade) commissioned the study, which focused on seven prime manufacturing sectors — auto components, alcoholic beverages, computer hardware, fast moving consumer goods (personal), FMCG packaged foods, mobile phones, tobacco and media and broadcasting.
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Amazon files first-ever suit over fake product reviews, alleging sites sold fraudulent praise
Amazon has filed suit against the alleged operators of sites that offer Amazon sellers the ability to purchase fake 4- and 5-star customer reviews of their products. The suit, the first of its kind from the Seattle company, was filed in King County Superior Court against a California man, Jay Gentile, identified in Amazon’s filings as the operator of buyazonreviews.com. The site also targets unidentified “John Does” who operate similar sites: buyamazonreviews.com, bayreviews.net and buyreviewsnow.com.
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Oman crime: Customs seize contraband cigarettes, tobacco in Seeb
Some expatriates were arrested on the charges of trafficking of contraband, and 2,918 cigarettes packets of various brands and more than 93 kilogrammes of chewing tobacco were seized from them, a reliable source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said.Personnel of the General Administration of Customs raided three houses in Seebwilayat inhabited by expatriate workers who were storing smuggled goods there, according to the ROP.
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