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Etsy's counterfeit problem is getting worse
News of Etsy's battle against sellers pedaling knockoff goods on its site isn't a recent revelation, but an analyst report this week details the extent of the problem. Investment firm Wedbush says that up to 2 million items listed on the marketplace may be counterfeit or infringe on either a copyright or trademark -- items like these. That's around 5 percent of all goods promoted there. It's not just fashion and jewelery brands, either: products with pro sports, cartoon and comic book artwork abound on Etsy as well. The company recently went public, and as you might expect, its stock fell in response to the report. What's more, a class action lawsuit was filed against the site for making "false and misleading statements" about the counterfeit issue. Etsy took aim at questionable merchandise in the past, banning the sale of Washington Redskins items back in September. However, if it wants to continue being the go-to place for handmade goods, it'll need to do some spring cleaning. [Image credit: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 clone takes us back, way back
Back in 2008, Lenovo's ThinkPad X200 was getting folks all hot and bothered, and it seems some people never cooled down. If you're one of the few looking to reignite the flames sparked when your first laid eyes on the laptop, take a look at this impressively rendered knockoff. Despite the absence of a Lenovo logo and slightly off dimensions, it really does look like the X200, -- that is, until you look under the hood. The original sports a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, while the knockoff's got a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450; the real deal has SSDs up to 64GB, while the fake doesn't even have the option; and finally, the impostor lacks 4GB RAM upgradability. According to M.I.C. Gadget, the ThinkPad clone rings in at 1900 Chinese yuan (about $286), and can be purchased online, though we couldn't tell you where. Anyway, you weren't seriously considering it ... were you?
Keepin' it real fake: MacBook Pro knockoff rocks Ion 2, thinks itself fly
We've stumbled across any number of MacBook Air KIRFs, but it's not often we see a worthy representation of Cupertino's heftier model. Never underestimate Shenzhen. This "Dragonfly QT Pro" not only features a familiar aluminum alloy shell, the 14-inch, 1366 x 768 netbook's also got Ion 2 switchable graphics ahead of its Acer and ASUS cousins. A 1.66GHz Atom D410 and 1GB of memory help pump out 1080p video while keeping case temperatures at a lap-happy 36 degrees Celsius, while a 160GB hard drive, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and HDMI (take that, Mini DisplayPort) round out a 4.2 pound, roughly $3000 RMB (about $440) package. Shame it only gets 2 hours of battery life, eh?
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXVI: Soniphone C908 takes a little o' this, a little o' that
Well, what do we have here? The Soniphone C908 is just a confused mishmash of branded signals -- Sony Ericsson is plainly visible across the top of the LCD, but a little Walkman branding was thrown in under it just for added fun. And, just in case you needed another, completely different reason to have your interest piqued, they threw in a wheel that is suspiciously iPod-like. This classy baby is undoubtedly worth every penny (it'll run you about $117 to grab one), if you decide you can't live without one. One more shot after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVIII: iPhome 3G for the wim!
Sure, we've seen plenty of iPhone clones in our day, but we'll say this: this is the clome to beat all clomes. It really takes the KIRF standard up a notch, running the best fake OS X we've seen to date. This one's identity is less confused than many of the knockoffs we usually see, and if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one of these 4GB having-babies... well, you just might be able to convince your grandma that it's the iPhone 3G S. Video is after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Crapgadget CES edition, round 15: Shredmaster Jr.
Smells like cheap knockoff spirit.
Keepin' it real fake, part LXIV: 2G Shuffle goes dark
Some folks just don't know when to call it quits, and yes, we're looking directly at the Chinese knockoff factories responsible for all of these shameful attempts at ripping the iPod. Of course, this isn't the first time the Shuffle (first-gen or second) has been duped, but this iteration certainly raises the opprobrious bar. Pulling the oh-so-prestigious black color scheme over to the Shuffle side of things, this clone was somehow designed in California but "Assombled" in China, but what else would you expect for a mere $14? More comedy, er, pictures, after the jump.
Found Footage: A Chinese iPhone rip-off
Oh those endearing Chinese manufacturers - what would the electronics industry be without at least a few crappy knockoff products to keep original manufacturers on their toes? (Answer: companies like Apple could probably lay off a few lawyer infantries, but that's a whole 'nother conversation.) Engadget has caught footage of the 'tPhone', which sounds and looks like some sort of Windows Mobile (strangely, it uses a desktop Windows startup sound) device with heavily modified and/or skinned software. Does this look appealing? Remember: you don't have to be afraid to say 'no.'Of course, Engadget touts the advantages of this device, namely a removable battery and microSD card slot. That said, eagle-eyed TUAW readers have also pointed out that the recently updated iPhone gallery reveals what could possibly be some sort of slot at the top of the iPhone, as exhibited in the gallery's first picture. Add that to all the interesting new iPhone tidbits we're digging up, and it looks like we might still be in for more discoveries (and possibly even official Apple announcements) before the iPhone actually lands next week.
Wired finds bargain Nano Knockoff
For about $100 (£50), Wired has found a Nano clone that appears to offer more features than the $250 (£129) real thing. Your money buys you a 4GB player with video support, an FM tuner, and a built-in voice recorder. Wired's Charlie Sorrel describes the sales presentation as cheeky (don't you love that?) and full of lawyer-bait, quoting from the sales page: "The groundbreaking new MP4 players have a similar look and feel to a Nano, but that's where the similarity ends".
Keepin' it real fake, part XXXI: This PSP is not a PSP
Reader Matt Z. spotted yet another PSP knockoff in the wild, this one at a computer show in Pittsburgh. C'mon, guys, if you're gonna have the nerve to copy a product's name along with its design, at least take the time to get the logo right.
Keepin' it real fake, part XXX: iRiver Clix gets "Lucky"
Chinese ripoff artist DAP manufacturer Yue Qi knows that not everyone has $200 laying around to throw down on an iRiver Clix/U10, which is why the company thoughtfully stole licensed the popular design for its similar-looking LUCKYee LY-PM06. Even more amazing than the $50 and $62 pricetags for the 512MB and 1GB versions, respectively, is the fact that Yue Qi's managed to enhance the video playback from 15fps to 25fps, which had been one of the few knocks against the real Clix. Overall, we see a bright future for this fiery young firm- with its crack team of engineers, dirt cheap prices, and no need for a design team, it's not clear how Apple, SanDisk, and friends will be able to compete.[Via DAPreview]
Keepin' it real fake, part XXIX: Gameboy Micro has a twin
Is the $100 Gameboy Micro a little too rich for your blood? Why not pick up the similar-looking One Station (not to be confused with the POP Station, although it's entirely possible that they're related), which was recently spotted for under forty bucks at a Philippine electronics shop - it offers all the fun of your favorite 8-bit Nintendo games (on special knockoff cartridges, of course) without any of the bloated costs associated with those expensive licensing fees.
Live at CTIA: Haier's knockoff heaven
We're sure the majority of these devices are tri-band Asian phones, but in the last year Chinese manufacturer Haier has returned triumphantly to CTIA with a veritable cadre of sweet knocks on namebrand cellphones. Take the above W800 rip, the M260, which features 2 megapixel camera, 262k color touch screen, and MiniSD slot. See, sometimes fake can be better than real. Click on for the rest.
