Schwarz
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At our local private school's holiday fair, a vendor sold bags labeled Prada and Coach that were clearly counterfeit. I told the principal and the head of the PTA that this was illegal and put the school at risk. They said it must be legal since so many people sell fakes. But I think this is copyright infringement, and a school should not be involved in such things. What do you think? A. Stein, Phoenix
I think if the school had the courage of its lack of convictions, it would sell stolen cars. A lot of people do that, too, so it must be legal.
To sell counterfeit products offends both law and ethics, deceiving the buyers of the fakes and exploiting the creators of the originals. The plight of Prada and Coach may not bring a tear to anyone's eye, but ethics compel us to act honorably even to the makers of inane status symbols. Besides, it would be dispiriting for the students to see their principal dragged off in handcuffs, even fancy designer handcuffs.