Lady Gaga in Hot Water After Proclaiming a Love for Knock-Off Goods

   By drodriguez  Jun 05, 2012
13

For those who can only dream of owning high-end designer watches, purses, and shoes; being offered an illegal “knock-off” version of the product while walking through a bustling city market can be quite tempting. After all, some of these copies can look very much like the real thing but only cost a small fraction.

But knowing it’s illegal to make and sell these designer replicas is enough to make some stay away, but not Lady Gaga apparently. The pop singer is in hot water with the Thai government after tweeting about wanting to buy a fake Rolex in a market there while on her latest tour.

Reuters reports about the controversy-causing tweet that has entangled Gaga in the piracy wars going on around the world. While on tour Gaga tweeted, “I just landed in Bangkok baby! Ready for 50,000 screaming Thai monsters. I wanna get lost in a lady market and buy a fake rolex.”

Though Thailand is known for its black market sale of fake designer goods, government officials say Gaga’s statement undermines their efforts to put an end to piracy. An official at the ministry's Intellectual Property Department says, “Lady Gaga is a representative of the U.S. and the U.S. puts pressure on smaller countries to promote the protection of intellectual property. She should tell her fans that they shouldn't use fake goods.”

Lady Gaga has not yet apologized to Thailand for the controversy-causing tweet. Do you think she should?

What do you think of anti-piracy laws? Have you or would you ever purchase a knock-off product?
 

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cardreader by cardreader | Dudley, MA
Jun 22, 2012

She should make an apology .As a singer who travels, it is up to her to be informed to the custom's and cultures of countries she visits. She needs to tutored in how to not offend people. She should have a little common sense to know when to keep her mouth shut.

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Jun 20, 2012

I have,both in NY and Italy. Why should the government take offense when they know darned well you can find plenty of knock-offs there. Why should she apologize? She was making a joke and stated a fact. They need to lighten up!

newbienurse by newbienurse | PHOENIX, AZ
Jun 14, 2012

I buy knock off all the time. I have no problems NOT handing over my hard earned money to all those huge labels who do nothing other than wallow in the ridiculous amount of money they make because people "have" to have brand names. That being said I rarely seek out brand names and only grab a knock off if I love the styling, not the brand. I'm just as happy with a fabulous looking no name anything, just as long as it looks cool

alicia27 by alicia27 | NORMAN, OK
Jun 10, 2012

Lady Gaga was probably joking... we all know she could afford many genuine rolexes! lol And I am guilty of buying knock off goods... God knows, with kids, and in this economy, I definitely can't afford the real ones, but I should have the benefit of feeling like I'm wearing something that I like!

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Jun 09, 2012

I'd rather spend my money on something of quality that will last.

friendlylady by friendlylady | BROWNSVILLE, TX
Jun 08, 2012

If she said she was buying a real Rolex she would have caused an uproar anyways and people would start talking about her expensive spending habits.

vstark by vstark | San Jose, CA
Jun 08, 2012

I don't want the originals so why would I want the copies? A couple of years ago, I saw the hot new Louis Vuitton bag, the red one. It cost as much as a decent used car. I went home and put away my vintage Mexican leather beach tote that cost $2. It looked so much like the Vuitton bag I was afraid it would get stolen.

trina1975 by trina1975 | BLUE GRASS, IA
Jun 08, 2012

She probably knew that her statements would land her in hot water. She intentionally does outrageous things for free publicity. That's just how she is.

corwinky by corwinky | Tacoma, WA
Jun 08, 2012

She's no more going to buy a fake rolex than she is actually going to get lost without her guards and handlers. It's poetic license aimed at shoring up her brand image, not a literal statement.

klynb7a by klynb7a | LITTLETON, CO
Jun 07, 2012

The "knockoffs" are most likely made in the same factories with the same materials as the "originals".

cardreader by cardreader | Dudley, MA
Jun 06, 2012

I have in NY. It is not worth the trouble. The products sold are waste products. I now save until I get the original product.

brendeary by brendeary | Williamstown, NJ
Jun 06, 2012

I have read reports that the money is made from buying knock offs supports terrorists and drug traffickers. If that's the case I will stick to buying the real deal from the manufacturers. Not that I buy luxury items that often. Why support someone who is trying to destroy your country?

Kay3131 by Kay3131 | New York, NY
Jun 05, 2012

I have. The watches in Taipei especially - are almost indiscernable from the originals. When the luxury market spend$ on using top-notch materials, fabrics, findings,and craftsmanship - the resulting quality need not fear the fakes. If however, they choose to makes handbags of nylon parachute using only strippets of leather for handles, or coated canvas and hollow tubing, then they should be prepared for the competition that street vendors with less than a 1000% markup - will give them!