Buyers Beware! Is city council punishing the wrong people? We live in a world of products and services, and everywhere you go people are persuading you that there product is the best out there. But what if you can't tell the difference, and should you be punished for it? Chinatown has been known to be flooded with tourist and local New Yorker's, looking to nab the best and most fashionable product out there. You can find fresh fruits, Asian Art galleries, scarfs for $10 or a Louis Vuitton handbag for $20. There is just one little problem. In am New York newspaper, most bags and scarfs are apart of an illegal counterfeiting trade that is growing exponentially, officials say, one that's costing the city $1billion annually in sales and income sales. The dilemma that comes from this it that Councilman Margaret Chin (D-Manhattan) wants to criminalized such purchases. While the manufacturing and sale of counterfeit goods are already illegal, Chin's measure would also make the purchase of counterfeit trademark goods in the city a misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail or a $1,000. Unfortunately the plan is not going to work. Tourism is a major economic force in the city, attracting about 55 million visitors a year. Is New York really ready to lead away vacationers away in handcuffs, who happens to jump off the bus and buy a fake Armani dress shirt. There are others like myself who think like this , a person walking down the street from out of town isn't gonna know whether or not a merchandise is legit. The come to New York for the best bargains the best deals the best that money can buy. That is why I think you should punish the people who are committing the criminal practices, not the people who are the victims.
