To counterfeit my daughters Christmas presents?

[Wazzitnow]

OK, so she's into some obscure person ATM. Shes autistic and her people of interest changes bi yearly.

Right now it's this person who has a clothing range that is only available in the USA and is crazy expensive. $100 for a hoodie "$40 for a Tshirt type thing.

She's never seen his merch in real life and it's really cheap iron on kind of stuff.

And his inside label tag is very simple.

I have a printing machine and could very easily forge the items and make the label for inside the collar too.

I don't want to spend that much money on some obscure Tshirt with 1 word on just for the label.

But in true autistic teen style this is all she wants.

I'd get charged import fees too.

It's unlikely she would ever know because ei doubt she will ever come across a real piece of merch from him

And the style he has along with the label he has means it would be super easy to make and there would really be no way for her to know.

I wouldn't be selling them obviously. Just a few items, couple of Tshirts and a hoodie for her.

Would be around £35 quid instead of £200+!

And I know she won't be into him by summer either which makes me even more reluctant.

Why not? Good idea.

As you (and other pps) already said: Use the same amount of money you would usually spend and buy her some other presents as well.

This thread is bonkers.

she wants a shirt with a banana on it, make her a banana shirt. No angst necessary.

It's a good opportunity to teach her that paying an absurd (if not obscene) markup to get a celebrity logo or Disney brand or designer marque on a product isn't smart. It's gullible.

There is no way I would allow my child to be sucked into the 'branded' consumerism that makes so many people easy targets of marketing that induces money-wasting worship of branded merchandise.

Yes, do it. But don’t do what my mother did - sent me a Valentines Card when I was in Primary School and all the popular girls were getting them - then told a neighbour all about it. Her daughter was in my class and I was teased for months.

Her parenting didn’t improve.

I think you can make it yourself, but you have to be honest with her about it too. You can’t give someone a fake and tell them it’s real. It’s just morally wrong. You can however tell them you’ve made it to look exactly like the real deal.

No it isn't.

Copying something for your own use is legal.

Ripping off someone's design to sell and make a quick buck absolutely is illegal.

Cakes are the best example - a child wants a particular mermaid cake (or whatever), parent can't afford it so makes their own mermaid cake. Child wants a particular character costume, parent can't afford it so makes their own version.

Completely legal and above board.

Good for you! She will love them I'm sure.

As a parent of a child with autism, she will know!
My Dc recognises every single detail it's insane. I also remember when I was younger, I brought my sister a replica item and when she found out she was so disappointed it ruined the gift and the thought; she wish I had got her nothing instead.
As it's Christmas I would say, get the original thing for a gift. Regarding the price, I'd explain if she wants other things then she has to pick what she really wants and maybe not have Nike trainers for example.

Absolutely this. Genuinely surprised at how many think this is ok.

Incorrect. It is illegal to manufacture OR sell counterfeit goods. Obviously no-one is going to bother to prosecute OP for making a one-off knockoff for her kid, but it's still thievery.

@Flickersy You are completely wrong to say 'copying something for your own use is legal'. Copying (without permission) somebody else's design/work is always unlawful, except under the very limited 'fair use' exemption which covers some types of, for example. teaching or non-commercial research.

Definitely do it. X im so with you on this. Forget any negative comments.

I just don’t get this. If you’re going to spend money, just get her what she wants or say, I’m going to give you this money that I would spend on gifts for you, you’ll need to save the rest though. My dd absolutely would and has saved in similar circumstances. As I said in my previous post, my mum refused the bag I wanted but got several items she thought were The Same. They weren’t, I hated them and they languished in my cupboard until I sent them to the charity shop/sold on eBay a few years later. This has been a recurring theme with her and gifts, but I was always too scared to address it with her.

Yep. I take part in a craft for a small charity that makes one of special items for children with terminal or life limiting illness. Many of them request Disney themes, for example, but in order to be able to create things using Disney images the organisers have had to get permission from Disney to do so. The permission was granted but with very strict conditions. Same with other companies involved in popular children’s television / toys / etc. You can’t just copy stuff that’s copyrighted.

I’ve just asked my own autistic teen daughter about this and how she’d feel? She said “I’d know and I wouldn’t like it because it wouldn’t be the actual clothes of the actual person. That would be the worst Christmas ever!”

🤷🏼‍♀️

Definitely do it

Go for it!

This.

My mum has made me a Hufflepuff scarf and a Pusheen stuffie, both knitted. I suppose the difference is I know how expensive the official Harry Potter scarves are and refuse to spend that much on acrylic yarn! They made me happy though.

I wouldn't even have questioned doing it if I were able to,,,,, no law broken if your not selling it!

No it isn't.

Anyone is free to copy anything for their personal use - as long as you're not selling it you're fine. Personal use is allowed.

Disney is the one frequently stalking the Etsy shops (am long-term Etsy veteran, seller and buyer). As an example, I could make a Mickey Mouse cake for my child's birthday. What I could not do is start selling Mickey Mouse cakes. I could paint a Disney princess mural on my child's bedroom wall. I cannot do so for a commercial nursery.

You're quite right. You cannot make Disney themed items to sell or for other people.

You could, however, make Disney themed items for yourself. You could make your own Iron Man costume for your child, for example.

@Flickersy just a couple of minutes googling could stop you making a fool of yourself here 🙄

So are you really saying all the kids on World Book Day or on Halloween are wandering about in illegal costumes?

Really? Perhaps think about that for a moment.

Do it, I used to buy my daughter second hand toys for Christmas and she never knew. You're doing it for the right reason ie not wasting your money. Just don't start to sell them.on your local market 😀

From a moral point of view, it is wrong but on the other hand to spend that much is not correct at all.

Can't you just tell her in no uncertain terms that it is too expensive and you will not be buying it?