Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that counterfeit drugs account for 10 percent of all drugs sold in the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that 2 percent of the 26 million airline parts installed each year are counterfeit, which equals approximately 520,000 parts. In 2003, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association cited a variety of safety violations due to counterfeit auto parts.

It's hard to imagine how, with all of these dire consequences, this booming industry can get away with all that is occurring. Simply put, law enforcement has bigger fish to fry. Enforcement of anti-counterfeiting laws is the domain of the Department of Homeland Security. Given current security concerns, the work is mostly left on the sidelines. The laws of counterfeiting vary from state to state ranging from a slap on the wrist to a Class C felony. Vendors of these products do get arrested, but the law tends to look for the big importers and manufacturers rather than the street seller.

In the current economy it is understandable that people, especially students, are doing all they can to save money while staying fashionable. However, it's important to know that hard earned money benefits others as much as the consumer. By simply making sure what is being purchased is an authentic brand, one can actually help the economy, workers' job security and even save lives.

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