Made In Kobea: Chinese Companies Copy Korean Products

Here’s an interesting report from yesterday afternoon’s news on Chinese companies copying South Korean products:

Highlights:

• A copy of a car tail light: the original says KOREA on it, while the Chinese copy says KOBEA. The other major difference between them is that the Chinese-made light is not properly sealed and can fill up with rain water.
• Korean consumers tell reporters that it is very difficult for them to tell if brand bags being sold in shops are the real thing.
• A Chinese company is selling copies of a Korean beer brand.
• Six months after a South Korean company started selling a new motorbike, a Chinese company suddenly began selling an copy of the vehicle. While the outside appearance is similar, the Chinese-made bike’s engine apparently breaks down within its first year of use.
• A Korean employee of a major golf goods brand states that he is concerned that Chinese copies are having a negative influence on the image of his brand.