Be Original Campaigns Against Counterfeit Design
A panel held by the founding members of Be Original
To help build awareness surrounding the negative impact of counterfeit goods on the design industry,
Be Original Americas
has launched a membership drive to campaign against knock-off products. The organization has collaborated with several founding members to sponsor product giveaway contests through November via its
Facebook page
. Start dates of upcoming giveaways include Herman Miller on October 21, 2013; Artek on November 4, 2013; and Emeco on November 18, 2013.
Approximately 2.5 million jobs have been lost due to fake products, according to the
International Chamber of Commerce
. What’s more, it estimates that by 2015, the annual value of counterfeited goods will be more than $1.7 trillion.
Paimio chair by Artek, a founding member of the Be Original campaign.
“[Our goal is to] raise awareness and protect the design and personal property of designers and manufacturers,” says Simone Vingerhoets, executive vice president of
Artek USA
and a founding member. “Looking at a product, it’s something very personal and a lot of time is spent working on it. Then someone comes along and knocks it off. It’s almost like stealing.”
Be Original Americas will also be holding a series of speaking events at universities, association conferences, and museums throughout the rest of the year. In addition, founding members will be hosting lectures and workshops at their offices and showrooms across North America.
Founding members include Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Cassina/Poltrona, Frau/Cappellini, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller, Ligne Roset, and Vitra.
