"We did a study in France, and most people think of counterfeiting as a game they play with the police," says Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of Union des Fabricants (Unifab). The French trade group opened the Musée de la Contrefaçon (Museum of Counterfeiting) in 1951 as a way to educate the public.
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Paris’ Museum of Counterfeiting

"We did a study in France, and most people think of counterfeiting as a game they play with the police," says Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of Union des Fabricants (Unifab). The French trade group opened the Musée de la Contrefaçon (Museum of Counterfeiting) in 1951 as a way to educate the public.

“We did a study in France, and most people think of counterfeiting as a game they play with the police,” says Marc-Antoine Jamet, president of Union des Fabricants (Unifab). The French trade group opened the Musée de la Contrefaçon (Museum of Counterfeiting) in 1951 as a way to educate the public. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Visitors compare knock-offs and authentic products in an exhibit at the museum.

Visitors compare knock-offs and authentic products in an exhibit at the museum. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

A genuine Hugo perfume bottle, left, is displayed next to a counterfeit one with the name "Vigo." The growing trade in fakes annually costs France alone an estimated 38,000 jobs and 6 billion euros (roughly $8.5 billion at current exchange rates).

A genuine Hugo perfume bottle, left, is displayed next to a counterfeit one with the name “Vigo.” The growing trade in fakes annually costs France alone an estimated 38,000 jobs and 6 billion euros (roughly $8.5 billion at current exchange rates). (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

High-end items aren't the only products counterfeited. Household cleaners, beverages and other everyday stuff are also copied. “It’s hard to be seen as a victim when you are talking about luxury goods,” Unifab's Jamet says. “But when you say [that] the people who make the fake perfumes and cosmetics also make fake medicine or products to clean your house, they listen to you more.”

High-end items aren’t the only products counterfeited. Household cleaners, beverages and other everyday stuff are also copied. “It’s hard to be seen as a victim when you are talking about luxury goods,” Unifab’s Jamet says. “But when you say [that] the people who make the fake perfumes and cosmetics also make fake medicine or products to clean your house, they listen to you more.” (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Bic pen caps and their fakes.

Bic pen caps and their fakes. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Tabasco vs. "Tabard."

Tabasco vs. “Tabard.” (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Counterfeited health and beauty products, including condoms, point to the changing nature of the counterfeit trade.

Counterfeited health and beauty products, including condoms, point to the changing nature of the counterfeit trade. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Packs of cigarettes, some authentic, others not so much.

Packs of cigarettes, some authentic, others not so much. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Genuine and counterfeit dolls line a shelf. The fakes (the right two) are valuable learning tools.

Genuine and counterfeit dolls line a shelf. The fakes (the right two) are valuable learning tools. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Designer sunglasses both real and fake are on display.

Designer sunglasses both real and fake are on display. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Counterfeit Lacoste crocodile logos.

Counterfeit Lacoste crocodile logos. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

A genuine Lacoste shirt. One way to tell the real deal is the logo's bright green coloring.

A genuine Lacoste shirt. One way to tell the real deal is the logo’s bright green coloring. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Genuine and counterfeit Adidas and Lacoste shirts are displayed side by side.

Genuine and counterfeit Adidas and Lacoste shirts are displayed side by side. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Two Dior handbags. One real, one counterfeit. The genuine article is on the left.

Two Dior handbags. One real, one counterfeit. The genuine article is on the left. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

More Dior handbags at the museum.

More Dior handbags at the museum. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Dior jewelry look-alikes.

Dior jewelry look-alikes. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Look closely at these supposed Chanel handbags.

Look closely at these supposed Chanel handbags. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Chanel watches locked up.

Chanel watches locked up. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

Pricey Hermès is a frequent victim of counterfeiting.

Pricey Hermès is a frequent victim of counterfeiting. (Yves Forestier / Getty Images)

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