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[Photos] A Whole Mall in China Dedicated to Fake Brand Names

Posted: 07/11/2014 9:03 am

sichuan fake brands counterfeit retail lots signsA brand name makes things better, doesn’t it? Why buy generic when you can put your trust in a prestigious, well-known brand?

A vacant retail space in Chengdu, Sichuan, agrees. But it seems no well-known brands have decided to rent space in the mall yet, so the mall went ahead and used the next best thing: fake brand names and logos.

So to help draw attention to the vacant retail lots still awaiting their first client, the 300 meter long street is adorned with brand names that seem oddly familiar.

sichuan fake brands counterfeit retail lots signs

Not pictured are a sign with the “M” logo from McDonald’s turned upside down into a “W”, and a fake version of Pizza Hut called “Pizza Huta”.

When contacted by a reporter, the sales office for empty retail lots passed the buck by explaining the signs were already hanging there when they first tried selling them. When questioned, the property developer explained their motives:

In waiting for these stores to be rented, fake signs are hung to create a business ambiance for the contractor. Once these lots have been rented out, these signs will be taken down.

Ambiance: it’s only ever a fake brand name away.

sichuan fake brands counterfeit retail lots signs

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Photos: People’s Daily Online

Haohao

Shenzhen Offices of Video Pirates Kuaibo Raided By Police

Posted: 04/23/2014 10:07 am

The Shenzhen-based offices of Kuaibo were raided by police yesterday, just days after the company made a promise to remove pirated content and secure rights to legal stream licensed content.

The police statement released online said that officers were responding to complaints made by citizens over the broadcast of obscene and illicit material. Police arrived at the Kuaibo offices in two large buses, and seized computers and equipment.

Kuaibo confirmed that police did visit their offices, but denied that any arrests of staff personnel were made. As well, Kuai affirmed that their business is still operating as normal. At this time, Kuaibo’s website is still up and operational.

This show of force against the notorious video pirates, best known for their QVOD video-sharing app, comes at a time when many popular mainstream video streaming services have paid huge sums to procure licensed content legally. These major players of the online streaming market in China mounted a legal challenge against Kuaibo last year.

Tech in Asia offers this analysis of the changing landscape of copyright infringement in China:

In theory, there’s less need to pirate TV shows in China than in most other countries as it’s actually surprisingly easy to watch popular shows for free…Up against so many big-name and big-money companies, Kuaibo hasn’t specified how it can afford to buy the licenses to stream popular TV shows or movies.

Photo: Weibo, Weibo

Haohao
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