TulipTools Internet Business Owners and Online Sellers Community

Quote:The Internet has emerged as a great place to shop for someone looking for a good deal. Price comparison sites ensure that consumers pay as little as possible, so they often end up with tremendous bargains.

However, the adage "If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies to some of these transactions. Shysters have established bogus Web sites advertising name brands for a fraction of their typical costs. These businesses are booming: Online protection company MarkMonitor expects online sales of knockoff goods in 2007 to reach US$119 billion, up from $84 billion last year.

Black market goods are not a new phenomenon, but the pervasiveness and anonymity of the Internet unfortunately makes it an effective channel for counterfeit sales. Some fraudsters set up shop using domain names similar to legitimate brands and often plaster known brands' trademarks and logos on their online storefronts. ...