UnscrIPted

Doona^TM is a premium brand known for its innovative baby gear. If you have had children in the last decade, you have likely owned or coveted the Doona Car Seat and Stroller, which seamlessly transitions from car seat to stroller, saving parents time and space. The popularity of this product and its high price point (550 USD) make it an appealing target for imitators who are increasingly selling fakes and attempting to create dupes of this product.

The concepts of “fakes” and “dupes” have become increasingly relevant in modern consumer culture. While both terms relate to products mimicking high-end or original items, their implications are distinct. Understanding the difference between fakes and dupes is crucial for making informed purchasing decisions.

What are Fakes?

Fakes, or counterfeit goods, are unauthorized replicas of original products that are designed to deceive consumers. Counterfeiters disguise their fake goods with trusted brand names, logos, and certification marks, and lure consumers in with “too good to be true” pricing. The production and sale of fakes or counterfeit goods are illegal in most countries at least because they infringe on intellectual property rights. In the United States, counterfeiters face steep fines and/or jail time.

Fakes are often manufactured in substandard conditions with cheap materials, resulting in poor quality and potential safety hazards. For instance, fake cosmetics may contain harmful chemicals, and counterfeit electronics might pose risks such as overheating or electrical fires.

Doona’s website warns consumers about fake or counterfeit car seats and the safety risks they pose, warning that these car seats, “are not certified or safety-tested and provide little or no protection in case of an accident.”[1] The website also provides a link to crash test results comparing a genuine Doona product with a fake.[2] At a minimum, these safety risks should deter consumers from purchasing fake or counterfeit car seats no matter how low the price.

To avoid buying fake or counterfeit products, the following is typically recommended:  (1) do not buy a product if the price seems too good to be true;  and (2) buy directly from brand owners or authorized retailers (e.g., Target, Walmart, etc.), not from unknown third parties (e.g., resellers on Amazon).

What are Dupes?

Dupes, short for duplicates, are products closely mimicking a well-known brand, but using a different name and branding. They offer similar functionality, style, or appearance, typically at a more affordable price point. Many dupes are manufactured by reputable companies that prioritize quality and safety, making them a more ethical and reliable choice than fakes. For example, the Shyft DualRide by Evenflo® is a well-known dupe for the Doona Car Seat and Stroller. Like the Doona, it meets or exceeds relevant safety standards,  and its price is slightly lower (499 USD).

The problem with a good dupe is that it could be infringing the original manufacturer’s intellectual property rights. This may even be the case with the Shyft DualRide by Evenflo®. Recently, DOONA HOLDINGS LTD., along with TRAVELER INNOVATIONS LTD., sued EVENFLO COMPANY, INC. for willful patent infringement in the District of Delaware.[3] One mom blogger may have predicted this outcome when she stated, “it’s almost as if Evenflo saw the Doona and improved all of its defects.”[4]  

Of course, we want to encourage the continuous improvement of products like Evenflo did. However, should this come at the expense of the original innovator, Doona, if their claim of willful infringement is valid?

Why the Difference Matters

Understanding the distinction between fakes and dupes empowers consumers to make ethical and informed choices.  Knowing that fake or counterfeit products are low quality and often unsafe, will empower consumers to avoid them. While reasons to avoid dupes are more nuanced, a better understanding of them may allow some consumers to consider more deeply the impact of their choice—not just on your wallet, but on the broader world of commerce and creativity.