I hate the way the word Clone is used around here.
There is a difference between Counterfeit and Clone. Every single person here uses cloned gear. Unless you have the original box mod or the original tube mod, the first one ever created, then you have a clone. Someone may have added refinements along the way, but it's still a clone, just like everyone else has.
Counterfeits carry logos and other distinguishing markings that are owned by someone else. They pass themselves off as a much higher priced designer product when they aren't.
A good analogy is blue jeans. Levi Strauss invented and patented the first ever pair of denim blue jeans. Every single company that makes them since has cloned Levi Strauss's design. They may add pretty stitching, or sparkles, or acid washed them to make them fade, or dyed them to make them black, but they're still all just clones of the Levi Strauss blue jeans design. Some are even extravagantly priced and called "designer jeans", but those are still clones that just copied Levi Strauss. Likewise we have designer mods that are extravagantly priced that people call "authentic" but in truth there is absolutely nothing authentic about them. They're all still clones of the box and tube mods that came before them with sparkles added so the seller can jack the price up and call them a designer mod.
Calling BS on all of this.
A: By your definition every circular saw, bandsaw, wrench, air conditioner, automobile, etc, etc. is a clone, this is not the case. In fact that entire premise is utter BS.
B: Denim jeans have been around since the 16th century in Europe. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented rivet reinforcing of clothing. It was actually Davis' idea and Strauss' money. Prior to the riveting of the pockets for durability "jeans" and other clothing made from denim were the garments of peasants and poorer farmers for centuries before Levi clothing was patented. Pick another analogy.
US patent No. 139,121 for an "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings", 20 May 1873
At the end of the day with vape gear supporting the theft of someone's work is a morale issue because very little of this is patented. By the way, patents expire at 17 or 19 years depending on the type of patent, and can in some cases expire sooner.
This is very much the case of the person who thinks the way sneakers look is important and not wanting to pay 200$ plus for some silly pair of shoes going to buy a 30$ pair of knockoffs.
I too buy some storebrand items. Mimicking the taste of a recipe through reverse engineering the flavor profile is a bit different than stealing a design. I also buy Walmart Ibuprophen for $6 per 200 capsules as opposed to name brand for 12$ for 50. Again this is a bit different as the patent on the formula has expired. These storebrands are also not copying logos or product names.
I personally do not care, buy what you want to afford and be happy, stay off the smokes, yada, yada. But don't cloud the decisions or justifications in flimsy false arguments made to make your self or someone else feel better about supporting the wholesale theft of someone else's work.
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