Counterfeit is a fairly damning word. An accusation of counterfeiting, to brand one as a 'counterfeiter' is to put one in pretty infamous company. Drug dealer, embezzler or child molester. One who clearly has violated the public trust.
Is counterfeiting an issue in our global economy? Where goods are manufactured in one country and distributed for sale in markets in any number of countries around the world? Clearly counterfeiting is an issue of public concern and welfare. Counterfeit parts for airplanes, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and food products, counterfeit medical supplies; all of these pose a clear threat in the global marketplace.
For purposes of this site, we've limited 'counterfeiting' and its implications to goods such as dresses and handbags, goods that pose no risk to ones health or well being. As far as I know, no one has ever died from purchasing a knockoff polo shirt or handbag. This allows us to filter out and corral much of the 'hysterical' language related to the word 'counterfeit'.