The phenomenon of counterfeiting has a history that is indelibly linked to the evolution of man. From his simple agricultural societies to the complex, technological world of today's environment, counterfeiting, in one form or another has been with us.
細數「仿冒史」，可以說打從人類出現就有了仿冒行為，只不過早期稱為「學習」、「模仿」或「仿效」：隔壁鐵鋪生意好，「有錢大家賺」，四周就出現了相似的店家；鄰鎮有家大飯館，這廂也依樣畫葫蘆地開上一家，連名稱都不改……。