Under Proposed Law City May Charge You with Misdemeanor for Buying “Fakes”

Councilwoman Margaret Chin wants to criminalize purchase of counterfeit goods 

Hunting for a bargain handbag on Canal Street would be a risky endeavor if a bill proposed by a Manhattan councilwoman is approved.

Councilwoman Margaret Chin has submitted a bill that would make it a Class A misdemeanor to purchase counterfeit merchandise, meaning that someone caught paying for a knockoff “Gucci” purse, for instance, would face a $1,000 fine or up to a year in jail if convicted.

The bill was subject to a hearing before the Council’s public safety committee on Thursday, and opinion varied as to whether penalizing the purchaser was an appropriate way to stem the illegal trade in knockoff handbags, wallets, DVDs and other popular retail items.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/councilwoman-criminalize-purchase-counterfeit-goods-article-1.1371895#ixzz2W9p6xP7b

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