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This research aims to explore the impact of an overlooked variable, brand typicality, on brand evaluation and the categorization of counterfeits and imitations.

The research design is a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 mixed design with the first three variables as between-subjects variables and the last as a within-subjects variable on a convenience sample of 287 respondents split into eight experimental conditions. Data are analyzed using Linear Mixed Models.

Results show that brand typicality and brand name and product appearance manipulations impact brand evaluation and categorization. Regarding brand evaluation, under high typicality conditions, any manipulation of brand name and/or product appearance, from identical to different, results in a less favorable evaluation, whereas under low typicality conditions, only brand name manipulation negatively impacts brand evaluation. Concerning categorization, under high typicality conditions, any change in brand name and/or product appearance results in the item’s categorization as an imitation or a counterfeit, whereas under low typicality conditions, the item may be categorized as either genuine or as imitation or counterfeit.

This research demonstrates the impact of brand typicality on both the evaluation and categorization of changes in brand name and product appearance. It also suggests that brands and product classes are not equal vis-à-vis counterfeiting and imitation. High typicality brand seems less vulnerable to counterfeiting and imitation. Findings are discussed regarding brand vulnerability to imitation and counterfeiting, the importance of considering competitive context, brand management and brand strategy.

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of product category and consumers’ motivations profiles on the determinants of consumers’ preferences and purchase intentions of counterfeits and genuine products, through manipulation of product attributes and purchase situations.

The study relies on an experimental design involving a questionnaire on a convenience sample with two parts: a tradeoff model manipulating three attributes, product type (genuine vs. counterfeit), price (high vs. low) and place of purchase (regular shop, Internet and market) in two product categories, and a scale measuring motivations to purchase counterfeits. Ranking and purchase intentions are analyzed using conjoint analysis and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM).

Ranking reveals a dominant pattern of consumer behavior regarding counterfeiting: product type, price and place of purchase. Product category has a moderating effect on choice criteria: relative importance of place of purchase and price varies according product category. Consumers’ motivations profiles have also a moderating effect on consumer behavior. Some profiles are more receptive to copies. Consumers’ profiles exhibit different hierarchies of purchase criteria and may change them depending upon product category.

Results challenge literature on the dominant role of price among choice criteria. Price alone cannot determine a counterfeit purchase. It is the interaction of price, place of purchase or product type that explains such a behavior. Product category matters: Price and place of purchase importance cannot be considered without accounting for product category. Consumers’ motivations profile matters. Consumers are not homogeneous face to counterfeits.