Keeping It Real- here's how to avoid counterfeit Harley merchandise

That's right, we're taking the side of the law this time (Bikers are Rebels, but we stand up for what's wrong when we need to). 

Last year counterfeiters raked in $460 Billion dollars- mostly online. And even though the majority of items are luxury- Rolex watches, Gucci purses, Nike Air Jordan- Harley is also a lifestyle that people want. Which means others will fraudulently forge the brand just to make a buck. 

Harley-Davidson logos and trademarks symbolize more than just the quality and heritage of their products. They stand for something important enough that people tattoo the logo on their skin. It’s something that can’t easily be expressed with words, but is felt in the soul. For many, “Harley-Davidson” isn’t a name or a brand. It’s a way of life.

Will buying one counterfeit album, movie, purse or t-shirt hurt you or those you love? Probably not. But multiply that one by 20 million sales and it adds up fast. That's a massive amount of money that should have gone to the artist, actor or business, but went to criminals instead. Not to mention, it reduces the amount of taxes collected, which reduces the amount of annual budgets- which can affect jobs. 

You may have seen or even purchased a counterfeit item in the past without knowing it. But when the article arrived you discovered the quality wasn't there- wrong size label (it says XL but really is XS), the graphic wasn't centered, and/or the item was already falling apart. And then when you return it to the company that sold it, they keep promising to return your money (but they don't).

With the biggest gift-giving time of year coming up (aka the Christmas Season), I thought it might be helpful to explain how to spot selling counterfeit Harley merchandise. After all, if you're spending the money to buy that someone special (or even yourself) a gift, it might as well be the real deal, right? 

1. Money Talks, Bullshit Walks: compare the price. If

   

   The Bar & Shield logo

   it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. 
2. Feel it Up: check out the item for the correct use of labels. There should be labels & hang tags with the official logo and security stickers.
3. An Altered State: has the logo been altered?

   

   On dark backgrounds, it's
   framed in white

   Stretched, color change and word substitutions are all indicators of forged items and copyright infringement. 
4. Know before you Go: Harley-Davidson's logos & trademarks include the Bar & Shield, the B&S outline, Screamin' Eagle, H.O.G., and

   

   Screamin' Eagle logo

   MotorClothes to name just a few.
5. Wonder about the Website: if online, check out the seller's website. Do they say they're an authorized seller?

   

   The H-D MotorClothes label

   Do they have a physical address, contact info and return policy clearly spelled out? If no, then that's a very red light- you should stop.
6. Use Active Listening: find out what others are
   saying. Reviews on Google, Amazon, E bay and/or

   

   Licensed Vendors will use this label

   Facebook are pretty good indicators. And find out their rating with the Better Business Bureau.
7. How's Your Package?: if the packaging is naked (no logo), there's no contact info, or has misspellings, it's most likely a fake. 

If you're still not sure that the item is real or counterfeit, feel free to contact me at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, or by email (Dawn@FXCapraraHarley-Davidson.com). 

Harley's Brand Protection team monitors against sellers of counterfeit H-D merchandise, and recently scored big wins on two of the largest selling companies of counterfeit t-shirts. 

The Harley-Davidson brand (and lifestyle) is powerful, full of meaning and emotion. So when the company developed logos & trademarks unique to Harley, it communicates something special about our brand for our customers, and it’s important to protect that message. If others misuse it for their own profit, we run the danger of diluting or weakening it.