Feds Close Websites Trafficking In Fakes - Repercussions for Internet Marketers?
Cyber Monday saw a federal crackdown of 82 websites accused of trafficking in counterfeit goods.
The U.
S.
Justice Department has confirmed a massive increase of website closures, including seizures of domain names.
Will the upturn in legal surveillance impact internet marketers? What repercussions should be expected? The recent closures targeted sites selling products ranging from fake designer handbags and sports equipment to children's DVDs.
These government actions are the latest in the crackdown on counterfeiting, a problem that has spread exponentially due to globalization wrought by the internet and lowered trade barriers.
Consumers should be alert to certain 'red flags' that target impropriety.
Prices well below market are a good tip off.
"To put it simply: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is," affirmed Attorney General Eric Holder.
The move was welcomed by the reputable retailers whose product lines were being replicated.
"Counterfeit goods not only infringe of the reputation and value of legitimate intellectual property creators and the holders of these rights, but also impose economic, social and environmental harm and threaten human health and safety on a global level," opined a national retailer representative.
Some public interest groups do not agree.
These groups cry "Foul!" and allege such actions smack of censorship.
Counterfeiting does not help internet marketing businesses.
Having spent its early years contending with the overwhelming proposition that 'all network businesses are ponzi schemes,' the industry will now have to deal with more of these attacks by the uninformed.
This conviction is likely to have a renaissance despite the fact that internet marketing has become one of the fastest growing business sectors globally.
For internet marketers selling products or training (intellectual property), connection with the Direct Selling Association (DSA) becomes critical.
The connection provides proof of integrity.
Connection with the DSA demonstrates commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service.
Each member must pledge to follow the DSA Code.
Connection with the DSA assures that a company's business model is not a pyramid or ponzi scheme.
The DSA requires that members refrain from making representations that could be misleading to consumers or prospective sales representatives.
DSA enforcement is not through any governmental authority; its code is enforced by an independent administrator who has no connection with any member company and whose decisions, by prior agreement, are binding.
The extent of the repercussions for internet marketers is unknown.
But the concern is serious.
Reputation, once sullied, can never be regained.
In a business that thrives on human connections, the concerns raised by recent events demand attention.
DSA affiliation is one means, in the interim, of providing quality assurance.
Internet marketers must each take responsibility for fair business practices.
One bad apple.
The U.
S.
Justice Department has confirmed a massive increase of website closures, including seizures of domain names.
Will the upturn in legal surveillance impact internet marketers? What repercussions should be expected? The recent closures targeted sites selling products ranging from fake designer handbags and sports equipment to children's DVDs.
These government actions are the latest in the crackdown on counterfeiting, a problem that has spread exponentially due to globalization wrought by the internet and lowered trade barriers.
Consumers should be alert to certain 'red flags' that target impropriety.
Prices well below market are a good tip off.
"To put it simply: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is," affirmed Attorney General Eric Holder.
The move was welcomed by the reputable retailers whose product lines were being replicated.
"Counterfeit goods not only infringe of the reputation and value of legitimate intellectual property creators and the holders of these rights, but also impose economic, social and environmental harm and threaten human health and safety on a global level," opined a national retailer representative.
Some public interest groups do not agree.
These groups cry "Foul!" and allege such actions smack of censorship.
Counterfeiting does not help internet marketing businesses.
Having spent its early years contending with the overwhelming proposition that 'all network businesses are ponzi schemes,' the industry will now have to deal with more of these attacks by the uninformed.
This conviction is likely to have a renaissance despite the fact that internet marketing has become one of the fastest growing business sectors globally.
For internet marketers selling products or training (intellectual property), connection with the Direct Selling Association (DSA) becomes critical.
The connection provides proof of integrity.
Connection with the DSA demonstrates commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service.
Each member must pledge to follow the DSA Code.
Connection with the DSA assures that a company's business model is not a pyramid or ponzi scheme.
The DSA requires that members refrain from making representations that could be misleading to consumers or prospective sales representatives.
DSA enforcement is not through any governmental authority; its code is enforced by an independent administrator who has no connection with any member company and whose decisions, by prior agreement, are binding.
- How and if the DSA administrators may be called upon to work with the feds is an open question.
- How consumers and independent representatives of network marketing companies can be fully protected is unexplored turf.
The extent of the repercussions for internet marketers is unknown.
But the concern is serious.
Reputation, once sullied, can never be regained.
In a business that thrives on human connections, the concerns raised by recent events demand attention.
DSA affiliation is one means, in the interim, of providing quality assurance.
Internet marketers must each take responsibility for fair business practices.
One bad apple.
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