Don't Let This Happen To You...

Cheap Imitations Of Great Designs Are Leaving An Ugly Wake

I want to warn you about a deceptive practice being employed by some less-than-upstanding corporate citizens out there.

There are companies peddling low-quality imitation versions of the classic Eames, Nelson and Noguchi designs. Unsuspecting customers are getting burned. How?

Well first of all, the counterfeits are made with lower quality material in factories that cut corners every way they can. At first blush, the fake Eames lounge chair or Noguchi table or Nelson sofa may look authentic, but it won't for long.

Authentic Eames, Noguchi and Nelson furniture are made to exacting standards using the materials and processes specified by the designer. These designers were renowned for not just their ground-breaking aesthetics, but also for the durability of the furniture under years of real-world use. The real stuff lasts and lasts.

The fake stuff? Many of the reports I get are telling me that it frequently doesn't even survive shipping, much less stand up under normal use.

It may look like the real deal in photographs, but who's going to believe an authentic Eames chair, Nelson sofa or Noguchi table is that easily chipped, cracked or comes apart at the seams?

Everybody Gets Hurt

The companies that make and sell the cheap imitations cut lots of other corners as well. Like customer service, for instance.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard horror stories about people trying in vain to get damaged goods replaced. Or their money back. Little did they suspect that the money they thought they were saving would end up getting spent on legal fees.

But the customers aren't the only ones who suffer. These knock-offs also hurt the designers, who aren't paid their fair royalty for their talent and hard work. The authorized manufacturers and distributors of the bona fide original designs naturally lose out, too.

In fact, Herman Miller has gone so far as to launch a major education and awareness program over the issue, including a new ad campaign called "Get Real". You can read all about it by clicking here.

The US Government Steps In

The problem hasn't escaped the notice of the US Patent and Trademark Office. The PTO has, to its credit, recently issued rulings specifically stating that deliberate likenesses of these signature products cannot legally be produced or distributed in the Unitied States.

That's given a huge legal boost to the designers and authorized producers, but that by itelf won't fully solve the problem.

If It's Not From Herman Miller, It's Not Authentic

It's important that we, as customers, understand the most obvious distinction between the authentic Eames, Nelson and Noguchi products and the pretenders. And it boils down to two words: Herman Miller.

H-M is the only authorized manufacturer of the genuine articles. So always be sure it's a Herman-Miller product and you're assured of getting the best product and the best value.