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The market is awash in “dupes” – copycat products designed to mimic popular consumer goods across various sectors, from fashion and cosmetics to electronics and food. Fueled by the internet’s reach, companies specializing in replicating in-demand items are thriving. This surge has ignited legal skirmishes, primarily concerning intellectual property rights.

Although some view dupes as a path to wider product accessibility, others decry them as unethical and a threat to innovation. The legal framework governing dupes is often ambiguous, blurring the lines between permissible inspiration and illicit imitation. Some companies employ design patents and aggressive legal strategies, such as Schedule A lawsuits, to safeguard their intellectual property. However, the battle against dupes is relentless, with the speed and scale of online commerce making comprehensive enforcement difficult. Ultimately, consumers are left to determine the value of an original versus a similar, but cheaper, alternative.