You may have heard (or read) the words 'intellectual property', often shortened to IP. This refers to the innovative work that has been added or built into the product you are buying. Not all products contain IP. Products that do contain IP are those items like music, films, software, and branded goods such as clothing, cigarettes and even pharmaceutical and body building drugs.

 

Often, the products copied are easy to replicate such as films being transferred onto CVR's (compact video recordings) and music onto similar media. In doing so the person copying the product is enjoying something for nothing. Such activity means that those talented individuals that bring us pleasure through their works such as singers and songwriters or actors and actresses lose out.

 

"These people earn far too much money anyway" is a common response. But put another way would YOU like others to enjoy a free ride at your expense?

 

Copyright was created as a means of protecting the authors of creative work to ensure that future generations could also enjoy the benefits of inspired people. In the same way as we need to protect the environment for future generations we also need to ensure that they can enjoy music and films as much as we do.

 

When pirates copy products and we buy them we are destroying the incentive that feeds creative spirit.

 

Trade Marks were introduced in much the same manner so that purchasers could recognise good products and were assured of quality after service. Trade Marks and Brands are important to business as they offer an effective method for manufacturers to communicate with their customers. Sometimes pirates copy trademarked goods and try to 'pass them off' as originals.

 

Buyers need to be aware that in purchasing pirated products they put themselves at risk from at best poor quality and at worst being harmed by products that carry no guarantee.

 

Pirate Goods? - It's not worth the risk!