Explore piracy and the black market in Paris
2010-12-01
Those who have visited a major city have probably seen the street vendors offering so-called designer merchandise for a minuscule portion of the actual cost, such as Chanel handbags or Burberry scarves. But high-end items are not the only products subject to counterfeiting, as a new exhibit at Cité des Science explains.
The "Contrefaçon" exhibit will show visitors different types of illegal goods, such as fake Rolex watches, bootleg DVDs or CDs and unlicensed software, as well as faux Louis Vuitton and Fendi accessories. The installation takes a look at the "villain and the victim," exploring how the black market works and how customers and the real companies suffer.
Even large-scale media conglomerates like Viacom and Time Warner are at a disadvantage when it comes to piracy, as their subsidiaries are frequently subject to counterfeiting. The Paris exhibition suggests different ways in which we can take a stand against this piracy, explores the background of the illegal trade market and gives tourists pointers on what is and is not a legal product.
"Contrefaçon" will be open to the public at Cité des Science through February 13.
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