“As inauthentic as their cheap handbags”: Alibaba faces backlash following ‘fakes are better than originals’ claim

Chinese digital retail giant Alibaba has been met with a barrage of criticism following comments from its chairman that fake goods are often “better than branded products”. However, while not great PR for a company trying to legitimise its anti-fake credentials, Jack Ma’s comments – which have subsequently been clarified for World Trademark Review – highlight a reality for those on the anti-counterfeiting frontline: counterfeits are improving in quality.