The Egalitarian Value of Counterfeit Goods: How Perceptions of Inequality Illuminate the Hidden Egalitarian Value of Counterfeit Goods

Counterfeit goods are lied lo individual unethical behaviors, as well as broader criminal activity and safety hazards. Yet, the market for counterfeit goods continues to grow, projected to reach $4.2 trillion USD by 2022. Willing purchase of counterfeits can be attributed to various sources of value, including economic and status signaling benefits of these produces. In this research, we explore another value of counterfeit goods that drives purchase, namely, the value counterfeits have in bolstering the impressions of social equality. We argue that counterfeits may be seen as addressing social inequality--an outcome we introduce here as the "egalitarian value" of consumer goods. In sum, under conditions of income inequality, counterfeit goods can be seen as "good" by making the world a fairer place, explaining the ongoing demand for these products.