Counterfeit “dupe” culture is fueling an unsustainable and unethical cycle in global markets. While dupes offer consumers affordable alternatives, they come at a hidden cost to the environment, labor conditions, and local economies. This panel will address the environmental and human impact of dupes, spotlighting how they strain supply chains, exploit low-cost labor, and generate waste that contradicts sustainability goals—a critical concern for Gen Z and Millennials.
The rapid growth of dupes has made them a socially acceptable choice for status-conscious consumers, yet this demand drives serious repercussions. Dupes are often produced using harmful materials and exploitative labor practices in distant factories, where the full environmental and social costs are often ignored or hidden. These products contribute to overconsumption, creating waste that burdens landfills and raises global carbon emissions, contradicting the aspirations of cities committed to sustainability.
The panel will discuss the urgent need for stronger IP enforcement and consumer education to help curb the environmental toll of counterfeit goods. By enforcing IP laws that prevent the circulation of dupes, cities can better meet their carbon reduction targets, and consumers can make more ethical choices. Additionally, the panel will explore innovative policies, such as offering free customs enforcement and litigation support for small brands, to create a fairer market where entrepreneurs and creators can thrive without being undercut by copycats.
A key focus will be on making enforcement universal: once an IP ruling is secured, it should automatically apply across all jurisdictions and platforms to reduce costly, repetitive legal battles. This streamlined approach supports young, underrepresented entrepreneurs and aligns with Gen Z and Millennials’ values of transparency, fair labor, and environmental responsibility.
This discussion emphasizes that IP enforcement isn’t just about protecting brands; it’s a pathway to a more ethical and sustainable marketplace that honors the values of the next generation. Also, the panel will address the bias that Dupes may not be widely appreciated as a significant problem because it is perceived as dealing with women’s products and thus not as important.
