news ROOM
Counterfeiting sucks – it is theft … simple !
Marco De Rossi and Stefano Lavazza have achieved remarkable things since they started their SC- Project exhausts business in Italy a little more than 10 years ago . Unfortunately , as all too many respectable and respected manufacturers have found to their cost , with success come the product counterfeiters who try and “ pass-off ” low grade , cheap knock-offs of their products . These products are produced with low-grade , potentially hazardous materials , by forgers with no design or production experience , with no thought given to the serious damage that could be inflicted to bikes and people . As Stefano says of the SC-Project copies he has found : “ Finishing is of the worst quality , the assemblage is extremely inaccurate and the SC- Project logo appears in terrible copies made with polished plate and laser branding of low quality . The assembly is imprecise and the inner soundproofing presents material with amianthus , which is carcinogenic and dangerous for health . Welding is of terrible quality and subject to breaking under even minimal stress , and it is impossible to replicate the precise CNC-engineering undertaken by our specialist equipment ”. The internet in Asia is pock-marked with sites from thieves offering imitation original product – product that is such a poor imitation of the real thing that it is extraordinary that anybody could be fooled by them – sadly though , enough hapless consumers are fooled to make it worth
A widespread problem throughout the motorcycle industry , especially where premium brand products are concerned , national governments and international trade organisations must do more to clamp down on design theft and product counterfeiting
Pure & Crafted III
The third edition of BMW ’ s successful ‘ Pure & Crafted ’ Festival is slated for 26 and 27 August – with a new look and new “ authentic Berlin location ”. After two successful years at the Berlin Postbahnhof , the festival now moves to a larger space , its new home being the former Berlin power station Altes Kraftwerk Rummelsburg . The site is said to “ offer impressive industrial charm and promises greater diversity than ever for all friends and fans of motorcycle culture , New Heritage lifestyle and down-toearth guitar music . With captivating live shows by Interpol , Car Seat Headrest and Razz , Pure & Crafted brings a very distinctive experience and late summer atmosphere to Berlin ”. In addition to the music , the spacious outdoor area will once again include an international custom bike show this year , as well as acrobatic performances at the Original Motodrom – “ guaranteed to send adrenalin levels shooting up to unprecedented heights ”. In the architecturally impressive former power station machine room of the Altes Kraftwerk
the thieves ’ while , and although steps are being increasingly taken to stamp on the counterfeiters , it is likely to be a long time before the practice is completely eliminated , if ever . Unfortunately , Marco and Stefano aren ’ t the only people to have seen their Intellectual Property , hard work and massive investments stolen . We here at IDN know that Akrapovic have had similar issues , and it isn ’ t limited to exhaust manufacturers – as we found out a couple of years ago , when German bullet light specialist Guido Kellermann had to confront the same problem . If we wrote up every known case of counterfeiting , our news pages would be chock-full of such reports every edition , but please , anyone reading this who is facing similar issues , do please let us know . Organisations such as Koelnmesse , organisers of INTERMOT , have taken radical steps to try to prevent fraudulent product from appearing at their shows , and offer exhibitors access to legal support at their show to get such items confiscated and the vendors concerned barred from the show when such instances do occur . Their initiative is to be applauded , but we here at IDN call on our industry ’ s trade associations and our national government trade departments to do more to help their members and their domestic businesses deal with the issues that arise . The sooner international organisations such as the EU and the World Trade Organisation can also do more to
www . sc-project . com / counterfeiting . htm
there will be returning features such as the General Store with its numerous exhibitors and attractions and Food Court . On the Sunday “ the focus will be more on the theme of motorcycle culture and New Heritage lifestyle . “ Pure & Crafted invites anyone
This is what cheap gets you – no more words necessary
Original SC-Project quality of the kind that got HRC ’ s attention
enforce Intellectual Property observance and recognition , especially ( but sadly not only ) in Asia , the better .
with a sense of curiosity and adventure to savour the uniquely relaxed festival atmosphere and round off the weekend with an eventful day – complete with motorcycle rideout and kids ’ programme ”.
www . pureandcrafted . com
18 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2017