Recently, a scandal involving Poczta Polska came to light, publicized by Katarzyna Daniłko, known on Instagram as . It turned out that the company had introduced counterfeit handbags of premium brands for sale in its stores. Internet users flooded the quality expert with photos of white Gucci fake handbags and others whose logos confusingly resemble the Yves Saint Laurent trademark.
Katarzyna Daniłko published the photos in her Instagram story, and later also in the explanatory video below. The expert instructed Internet users where they can report situations such as trademark theft:
Interestingly, immediately after the publication of InstaStory, Poczta Polska contacted the influencer, asking her for a correction. “We assure you that the supplier is the official distributor of the brand and the products are original, with all certificates” – this was the message the Instagramer was supposed to receive. Katarzyna Daniłko recalled that she immediately asked the company’s representatives whether, in connection with this statement, “it should be understood that at a post office you can buy a Gucci handbag for PLN 60 and they have documents to prove it.” She reminded that the originals cost several thousand. zloty.
“Gucci” handbags for PLN 100 at the Polish Post Office. “We are withdrawing immediately”
The Onet portal quoted the content of the entire message that the expert received from the post office:
Dear Madam, as we mentioned earlier, Lulu Castagnette products are original and have all the necessary certificates, but thank you for letting us know about other bags. We have already taken clarification measures. The fault lies with the manufacturer and distributor, who incorrectly sent this non-contracted product to some of our branches. These products were not and are not in the catalog of products intended for sale in branches and they were incorrectly directed to us. We will further clarify the matter with suppliers. Thank you very much for your vigilance and we are immediately withdrawing from sale those products that should never reach our offices and branches.
The video of the Quality Lady is full of comments. “It’s better to buy an original bag from Kazara for PLN 300 than a fake YSL for PLN 350. It’s embarrassing to wear fakes,” writes one of the commenters. “And then in the city half of the people wear YSL or LV and you think, am I the only one who can’t afford it,” adds another Internet user.
“I don’t understand the fashion for huge logos and rude fakes”
“Unfortunately, people buy on such sites not only out of lack of knowledge and naivety. They buy because they want to wear fakes. For many people, it is not a shame, they just believe that no one will notice,” notes another Instagram user. Another person praises Mrs. Katarzyna for her determination in action.
Printscreen from Katarzyna Daniłko’s InstaStory Photo https://www.instagram.com/stories/katarzynadanilko/3249714588737931953/screenshot
“I never understood and still don’t understand the fashion for huge logos and rude fakes. I still remember the craze for luxurious ‘iron-on’ patches on Aliexpress groups, a tipster even threatened me when I criticized them and reported them. Because of this hype about fakes, I sometimes feel embarrassed in Poland wear a branded jacket or handbag so that someone doesn’t think it’s fake… But I also often prefer to buy, for example, a sweater from Vistula rather than Guess, because not only is it cheaper, but it also has a better composition. As someone mentioned – If someone can’t afford it, they don’t buy it, and they don’t explain that they don’t want to be different from others,” we read in one of the entries.
Fakes – hor or not? “It’s just posturing”
Exactly. As the comments under the Quality Lady’s video show, the counterfeit market is usually a hot topic. And as with most problems of this type, it can arouse considerable emotions. Among the recipients of all kinds of trends and luxury brands, there will certainly be those who would not mind wearing a fake logo. It is worth noting, however, that in the context of the situation described above, we are dealing with trademark theft.
What do young Polish women think about this? We asked several of them to comment on the counterfeit scandal – and on counterfeits in general. Wouldn’t carrying such a bag – even one surprisingly well replicating the original – cause them discomfort, combined with the knowledge of its true origin and workmanship? The answers we received included: like this:
For me, it’s simply a crime, stealing the intellectual property of brands and designers who created an empire, and someone is trying to make money from them in such a brazen way. Buying such fakes is another issue that is completely incomprehensible to me. Wearing fakes is just posturing. Why wear a logo and pretend you can afford something when you can’t afford it at all?! There are so many brands that create beautiful and quality handbags at more affordable prices. In my opinion, it’s better to wear such accessories than to embarrass yourself with fakes
– wrote Dominika.
These models are ugly, but I know many beautiful handbags from luxury brands. But I would never buy such a fake. I am not a successful woman, an Instagrammer or the wife of a millionaire, so if I carried such a bag I would probably immediately reveal to those around me that it is a fake. And for me, wearing something like that is embarrassing
– Karolina reserves.
“Will going to Biedra with a fake Gucci make us feel less poor?”
Would they treat themselves to a fake Gucci bag? “I know people who buy fakes and flaunt them as if they had just come out of the LV boutique. I don’t understand this phenomenon at all. After all, we surround ourselves with people who know what our financial situation is. Will going to Biedra with a fake Gucci result in that we will feel less poor? I find it hard to believe,” writes Kamila.
Some of them have radical opinions about both the counterfeit market and the originals themselves. “I wouldn’t even buy the original one because they look tacky. I have similar thoughts about Versace. I don’t know, maybe my plebeian taste is simply incapable of understanding this phenomenon,” Ala wrote to us. As you can see, there is no shortage of interesting opinions.
It is worth recalling – as the Quality Lady also pointed out – that Article 305 of the Industrial Property Law applies in this context. It reads: “Whoever marks goods with a counterfeit trademark for the purpose of placing them on the market or places goods marked with such a trademark on the market, shall be subject to a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to 2 years.” As she informs in an interview with Onet, Katarzyna Daniłko alerted the Gucci fashion house about the whole matter. In an article from December 1 this year. emphasized that she also intends to notify the Yves Saint Laurent brand.
What do you think about wearing fakes? We are waiting for your opinions and comments. Write to: nazwa@agora.pl.
Sources: Pani od Jakości/Instagram/Onet.pl/Kobieta.gazeta.pl
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
