Counterfeit, Fake or Imitation items

The simplest statement about this is probably this: https://www.getsafeonline.org/personal/articles/counterfeit-goods . The page states The manufacture and sales of counterfeit goods is illegal. Buying counterfeit goods, however, is not illegal, even if you do so knowingly. However, there are many reasons why you should not do so.

Based on this, it is clear that it isn't illegal for someone to offer an imitation product, so it's OK to Freegle. It would be illegal, however, to offer a Rolex watch, for example, as a genuine article when it is a fake.

If anyone can find a legal, rather than moral, reason not to allow these items, please post the link on Central.

The article linked above goes on to list reasons not to buy or use counterfeits. These include dangers of shock or fire from electrical items, or toxic chemicals in fake cosmetics. The producers & sellers are often linked to organised crime.

Some local volunteers would recommend the member to ask for a refund and report the fake to Trading Standards.

Fake banknotes

The Bank of England advises that it is illegal to pass on fake or counterfeit banknotes.[1] Instead, they should be handed in to the police, who should fill out an NCO-1 form and provide you with a receipt and incident number. See https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/counterfeit-banknotes

Toy money which is obviously smaller than the real thing is OK.

Link: Specific Items