Fake vs Real: The Hidden Risks in Thailand's Counterfeit Economy [S6.E36]

Greg interviews Wiramrudee 'Pink' Mokkhavesa, an attorney at the
law firm of Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok. Tilleke is one of
the most well-known firms in the city, and it is probably most
famous for its intellectual property group, which leads the fight
against counterfeit goods in Thailand and Asia. Khun Pink begins
with a brief introduction to her firm, but then launches into an
explanation of the 'counterfeit museum' located in their law
offices which displays various fake products that the firm has
helped keep off the market. According to K. Pink, Tilleke's
museum is the largest such museum in the world. She then explains
the absurdly large market in counterfeits, which has been
estimated at 2.5 percent of all global trade as early as 2019.


Greg raises the interesting question of whether counterfeit goods
are always harmful. If the consumer knows their 'Gucci' watch is
not real, then who is being harmed? K. Pink gives several
responses. First, due to lower quality, fake goods can actually
be harmful, as in the case of decreased durability and likelihood
of failure. Second, a market filled with counterfeits can
discourage creators from taking the risks necessary to make new
products. Third, companies making fake goods typically don't pay
taxes, thus depriving the government of revenue. And last,
countries with a bad reputation for counterfeits can have trouble
attracting foreign investment, thus hurting the economy as a
whole. Then there is the question of - if you're okay with shoes
and watches, what about medicine and car parts? Where does it
end?


The two continue their discussion of this complex issue, covering
questions of the role of the Thai government in enforcing (or not
enforcing) current laws to how K. Pink gives advice to clients
considering doing business in Thailand.


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