What Do Al Capone and Fake Sunglasses Have in Common?
By Brian Noyes
Walking into the Crime Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., visitors have been faced with some of the most nefarious crooks of all time. Now, they can also find some of the most nefarious “fakes” of all time. But why is the familiar home to Bonnie and Clyde and Ted Bundy now hosting things like power strips, video games, cell phone cases, headphones, chain saws, sports jerseys and a pill press used to make counterfeit pharmaceuticals?
Partnering with the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), the Crime Museum is helping to educate visitors and consumers about the dangerous fakes and their ties to major criminal organizations.
“What many don’t realize is that the counterfeit trade is organized crime on a global scale, and the counterfeiters don’t care who gets hurt. We want the public to understand the real price of counterfeit goods,” said IACC President, Bob Barchiesi.
With help from the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), displays are interactive and provide examples of daily consumer goods, which can easily be mistaken for genuine, safe products from trusted brands.
Get a real-hands on experience and find out what these knock offs and counterfeits look like in person. The new gallery is called Counterfeit Crimes: Are You Part of the Black Market? and the museum is located at 575 7th Street, NW in Washington, DC.
