RIYADH: You would surely have noticed a scent of perfume wafting over your path as you wander around the mall. Have you ever questioned, though, if what you're smelling is a fake or an actual branded product?
Dupes are widely accessible and, because of their affordable price, well-liked by consumers. To most, they smell just like the real item.
Scents featuring notes of oud, musk, amber, jasmine, and more are worn by many Muslims and Arabs as part of religious rites, everyday beautification regimens, and other festive rituals.
"Perfumes are protected under intellectual property laws according to the manner in which the creator or innovator claims them, provided they meet the criteria set by the relevant regulations," according to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
Additionally, it says that "a trade secret or a patent may be applied to the fragrance composition that creates the scent."
Because they are afraid of being copied, many perfume makers choose the latter option rather than disclosing their formulae in full.
The authority goes on to say that the external look of the perfume bottle can be protected as an industrial design, and the logos connected to the perfume product can be protected as trademarks. Any infringement in the event that protection falls under any of these categories would be legally regarded unlawful.
Companies that manufacture the dupes employ distinctive product names and packaging to steer clear of legal issues. But the argument extends beyond the law to include tradition preservation.
Arab News conducted interviews with a few Saudi customers who adore perfumes to learn about their tastes.
"Perfume can be significant to many Saudi women as it is part of their culture and tradition," Hind Hassan said to Arab News. In Saudi Arabia, perfume is a significant component of personal grooming and self-expression and is frequently seen as a symbol of grace, beauty, and tradition.
"Many Saudi ladies adorn themselves with perfume to feel gorgeous and confident. In Saudi society, perfume is also relevant to social gatherings and cultural activities.
She claimed that dupes were "unethical" and that she was strictly against them. She praised branded perfumes for their "quality, authenticity, brand experience, exclusivity, uniqueness, and packaging appeal."
Mai Fuad agreed with her. According to her, "perfumery is a kind of art, so copying a perfumer's formula is akin to stealing someone else's artistic expression."
Marya Buhlaigah, on the other hand, is a huge lover of dupes and used to work at boutiques that carried niche perfumes. Buhlaigah claimed that perfume is the “signature” of a Saudi woman and that she opted to purchase dupes due to their low cost. "I would much rather give my money to a local business than a big corporation," she continued, referring to the current surge in the Saudi market where local enterprises are producing perfume dupes and clones.
Although Buhlaigah acknowledges that the quality may not always match, she claims she bases her decision to purchase dupes on suggestions and reviews. She can also sample many smells because of the lower price tag.
While purchasing branded perfumes might make one feel proud and good about themselves, Leena Al-Awami believes that quality always comes before label or price.
"Our society is made up of millions of individuals with a wide range of tastes, circumstances, and preferences," she continued. In our location, many brands and perfume vendors meet the diverse needs of their clientele. Nonetheless, I think that original perfume producers will always be valued for their creativity because of their knowledge, skill, and time.
Source arabnews.com
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