Phoney goods is bad for business

No doubt, the world of counterfeit goods is a global business with products imitated ranging from designer clothing and perfumes to electronics, software and pharmaceutical products.

As long as there is someone buying, there will always be someone willing to fake an item and vice-versa.

But this practice is morally wrong for obvious reasons, mainly that companies spend billions on research, development and marketing and they should get something in return.

But that is made impossible through piracy. Also, most counterfeiting operations have links to organised crime, thereby making them an illegal and dangerous game.

The latest counterfeit item to cause a stir in Dubai is a fake version of Apple's much anticipated iPhone, which is being sold in Bani Yas Square.

Such items are bad for business and bad for consumers. Buyers should bear in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Prices will never be substantially lower than what is expected.