China Knock-Offs Rolls-Royce
Angry Birds Knock Down House of Dictators
First, there was Starbucks. To say nothing of all those other knock-offs from China. Now, the Chinese have the temerity to produce a knock-off of the Rolls Royce:
Can Chinese entrepreneurs be original? Of course, people who engage in knock-offs are no entrepreneurs but just cheap copy-cats.
Of course, this car will not sell in Europe or North America. And will have little traction outside of China. But will it sell in China? Probably not. First, even the knock-off is not going to be cheap. And Chinese middle-class and even more so its rich are brand conscience. They want the real deal, it would be an embarrassment to social standing if they were seen in such a car.
But whether it sells or not, China should not even allow this car the opportunity to be sold. China is a member of the WTO and part of that means abiding by copyrights law and patents.
China has follow WTO ruling before, such as shutting down the knock-off of Starbucks. But the government is often dogmatic in protecting its companies.
That is the problem with having a free-market under a government that is opposed with its standing in the world and desperate to become a superpower.
The world should make it clear: if Chine aspires to be a respected member in the world, then it should respect property rights. Commies!
