Article: Beware electronic knockoffs

face=+Bold; Imitations often fail to deliver as promisedface=-Bold;

By LuAnn LaSalle

MONTREAL -- They're called EPods, PolyStations, Good Boys, HiPhones and Viis.

The names and designs of these knockoff electronics are close to the real thing and they're a lot cheaper.

But obviously they're not Apple's iPod music player or iPhone, nor Sony's PlayStation or Nintendo's Wii and Game Boy game consoles. Often they don't work exactly like the real thing -- if at all.

Just like faux Gucci bags, fake Rolex watches and copied designer duds, knockoff electronic products are in stores and are being hawked on the Internet.

"It's not like a handbag that you can look at and say, 'Yeah, it looks like a ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!