Knock It Off: Fashion's Piracy Paradox

Knock-offs are a no-no...right?

WRONG.

Piracy may actually promote creativity and fuel the fashion industry, according to a recent paper by law professors Kal Raustiala and Christopher Sprigman. In fact, they say weak intellectual-property rules for fashion haven't harmed the industry—they've helped it thrive—and they call this effect "The Piracy Paradox.”



The New Yorker's James Surowiecki wrote a fascinating piece on the Piracy Paradox, and here's how he breaks it down:

From The Piracy Paradox by James Surowiecki:

• Copying enables designs and styles to move quickly from early adopters to the masses. And since no one cool wants to keep wearing something after everybody else is wearing it, the copying of designs helps fuel the incessant demand for something new.


• The absence of copyrights and patents also creates a more fertile ground for that innovation, since designers are able to take other people’s ideas in new directions.


• While knockoffs undoubtedly do steal some sales from originals, they are, for the most part, targeted at an entirely different market segment—people who appreciate high style but can’t afford high prices.


• Knockoffs are like gateway drugs: access to the lower-quality version makes buyers all the more interested in eventually getting the real stuff.

For us, the Piracy Parafox confirms our previously held belief that knock-offs do not undermine high-end designers. That's why we love bringing you designer looks for less, and will continue to do so. Granted, we prefer designs "inspired" by the runways rather than blatant copies cuz we're trying to express our own, somewhat unique style with the clothes and accessories that we wear, not someone else's. On occasion, however, we've unknowingly purchased an item that we just thought was cute only to discover later on that it was an exact copy of a designer's style. This can be a big turn-off (and in fact, we haven't worn said articles of clothing since).


We will also personally never purchase counterfeits, which differ from designer-inspired fashions in that counterfeits pretend to be original products. This, again, dupes the customer (sure, most people know they're buying a fake when they buy it, but many do not) not to mention it's illegal...and who knows where all the profits are going? Besides, counterfeits are just plain tacky. Who wants to carry the same fake Louis Vuitton as 10 million other gals around the globe? By now they may have moved into the realm of kitschy-cool, but there are so many better options out there.

Anyways, we're sure that this complex debate will rage on for years to come. Even as we type, the Council of Fashion Designers of America is pushing a bill before Congress that would give original designs a legal protection similar to copyright. But the bottom line here at the Budget Babe is this: More often than not, the knock-offs are still too pricey. Take, for example, the $129.95 Steve Madden "Specs" featured above, an unapologetic copy of Miu Miu's dashing spectator pumps. Sorry, but that's still too much for a trendy shoe that's likely to be passé next fall. Oh, and the color combos are hideous. Pass.

The "Pauletta" pumps from Bakers, on the other hand, are actually pretty juicy. We honestly prefer the thinner heel, and the colors are spot on. Still, we'd wait for them to go on sale.

In conclusion, knock-offs are the nature of the beast. The next time you get your panties all in a bunch because Susie at the mall is wearing oh...DEER! copies of your $685 Christian Louboutin red-soled pumps, ask yourself if she isn't just doing you a big ol' favor.