Movie, music and designer wear pirates have said their “bootleg” products are selling like “hot cakes” all over New Providence.
Street vendors and store owners The Guardian spoke to, said they feel as though they are not breaking the law by selling their “Knockoff” products, because they are only supplying Bahamians with their demand for high-end goods at low costs.
“I’ve been selling my Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vitton handbags for about a year now. I know that these are not the real thing, but they look exactly like the real ones,” said a stall owner at the straw
market; who wanted to remain anonymous. “The tourists like to buy them and a lot of my clients who buy my things are Bahamian.
“I don’t think that I should be locked-up for selling my bags and stuff, because I didn’t make them or steal them, I bought them from the States and I sell them to make money.”
According to reports, buying bootleg products have become a part of the Bahamian culture-as pirated music and DVD movies can be found in almost every home in the country.
“I really don’t go to the movies like that no more, because I usually buy the new movies from one of my friends, who usually sells the new DVD’s the same time the movie is showing at Galleria cinemas,” said a pedestrian on Bay street.
“I know some people say that buying these bootleg movies and music is a crime, but if people are out there on the streets selling these products in broad daylight, I am going to save some money and buy them.”
Other Bahamian pedestrians The Guardian spoke to on Tuesday in the Bay Street area, said that they were all guilty of having some sort of bootleg products in their home.
“I am sad to say this, but I don’t think that the selling of bootleg products can be stopped in The Bahamas.
If you check out the situation, I think that the police force would have to lock-up the whole Bahamas, including themselves,” said a 42-year-old father of three, who said one of his three children usually
downloads his favourite songs, for him. Despite the constant warnings issued by international copyrights which expressly warns that bootlegging is a crime, many Bahamians have said that they do not believe that there is anything anyone can really do about the situation.
Reportedly bootlegging has become so ingrained in The Bahamas, that some high school students have been selling bootleg music to their classmates for a number of years.
According to international studies, music and movie stores have seen a large cut in their overall sales, due to the widespread problem of bootlegging.
However, storeowners and street vendors have said that they do not fear that they will be stopped from selling their bootleg products, because Bahamians from all walks of life are purchasing them.
By LASHONNE OUTTEN, Guardian Staff Reporter
