International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition

Sherlock Investigations is a member of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (www.iacc.org), a world-wide organization dedicated to combatting counterfeit merchandise. Counterfeit merchandise, commonly known as "knock-offs," costs the owners of intellectual property billions of dollars a year, it robs states of sales tax, endangers lives, and even funds terrorist organizations.

The problem of counterfeit merchandise is rampant. In China there are nearly 400 factories manufacturing fake Nikes. Other factories churn out fake brakes labeled with the trademarks of the world's leading car makers.

In New York, people buy fake Louis Vuitton or Gucci products on the street and walk away with a smile, thinking that they got a great deal. Or they order fake merchandise on the Internet at steep discounts. These people don't realize who they're hurting.

Can you imagine if you designed a new, popular fashion item, and someone stole your design, hired a factory in China to mass produce it, and put you out of business? It's easy to think of large companies like Coach or Chanel and think that they can afford it. Whether they can afford it or not is not the point. It's just plain wrong.

This is why Sherlock Investigations belongs to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition. You, too, can help. If you see knock-offs of famous brands on the street, or brands like Chanel on the Internet, let us know, and we'll take the proper action.