Legal Definitions - fake

Fake

The term "fake" refers to something that is presented as genuine or authentic but is, in reality, false, counterfeit, or not what it purports to be. It also describes the act of creating or altering something with the intention to deceive others about its true nature or origin.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a fake:

• Example 1: Counterfeit Luxury Goods

  Imagine a street vendor selling what appear to be high-end designer handbags at a fraction of their usual retail price. Upon closer inspection, the bags lack the intricate detailing, precise craftsmanship, and authentic materials found in genuine products. These handbags are fakes because they are manufactured to look like authentic designer items but are not produced by the original brand and are often made with inferior components, intended to deceive buyers into believing they are purchasing a genuine article.

• Example 2: Fabricated Academic Credentials

  A job applicant submits a university degree certificate and transcripts to a potential employer, claiming to have graduated with honors from a prestigious institution. However, a background check reveals that the university has no record of this individual ever enrolling or graduating. The degree and transcripts are fakes because they were deliberately created to mislead the employer into believing the applicant possesses qualifications they do not genuinely hold.

• Example 3: Forged Artwork

  An art dealer attempts to sell a painting, asserting it is a newly discovered work by a renowned 19th-century master. However, an expert art authenticator examines the piece and determines that the pigments used were not available during the artist's lifetime, and the brushstrokes do not match the master's known style. The painting is a fake because it was created by someone else with the intent to deceive buyers into believing it is an authentic and valuable piece by the famous artist.