Ink-Stained Wretches

I speak not of fellow journalists (many of whom have clean hands in this New Media age), but of counterfeiters who have been counterfeiting pens. Haco Industries of Kenya manufactures Bic pens, and has been victimized by Chinese-based counterfeiters. Haco claims that its sales of pens are down 40%, primarily due to counterfeiting activities.

This story illustrates an important point - counterfeiters don't only hurt developed countries, but in particular, hurt developing countries. In fact, they often hurt developing countries more, as they are usually burdened with some combination of weaker laws, corrupt law enforcement, limited resources, less developed supply-chain security infrastructure, and a less-informed population and business class.

Africa has long been a cause célèbre with anti-poverty crusaders. The cradle of civilization has been torn apart by war, poverty and famine, and its people have suffered a great deal. A primary goal of good anti-poverty programs is to create self-suficiency - not merely to "give men fish," but to "teach men to fish." This self-sufficiency would allow Africans to create real wealth that in turn reduces famine and the desperate conditions often necessary to stir conflict. Enterprises such as Haco Industries contribute to Africa's tax base while employing scores of young men who might otherwise be fighting and dying. The counterfeiters here are not merely duping unknowing consumers, but helping to destroy the fragile economic ecosystem that has been developing into Africa's best hope for a prosperous and peaceful future. For these counterfeiters, it is not ink that stains their hands - it is blood.