Shar‘i Rulings on Buying and Selling First Copy (Duplicate) Branded Items
Question:
Is it permissible to sell, trade, or purchase first copy (duplicate) items of branded products?
Answer by: Fadhilat al-‘Aalim Khidr Hayat (Hafizahullah)
There is no inherent harm in producing a duplicate (first copy) of any product. However, its permissibility depends on fulfilling the following conditions:
The purpose of making a duplicate must not be to deceive anyone.
There must be a clear distinction between the original and the copy, so the copy is not sold as the original.
Permission should be obtained from the owner or company of the original product,
or at the very least, it should be confirmed that they do not object to such duplication.
It must be legally permitted in the country or region where the business is being conducted.
If the government, due to any legitimate interest, prohibits such a practice, then compliance with that ruling is necessary—because in permissible matters, obeying the ruling authority is obligatory.
If all these conditions are fulfilled, then manufacturing and trading in first copy (duplicate) branded items is permissible.
However, if any one of these conditions is neglected, then manufacturing, selling, or participating in such a business becomes impermissible.
والله أعلم
Question:
Is it permissible to sell, trade, or purchase first copy (duplicate) items of branded products?
Answer by: Fadhilat al-‘Aalim Khidr Hayat (Hafizahullah)
There is no inherent harm in producing a duplicate (first copy) of any product. However, its permissibility depends on fulfilling the following conditions:
❖ No Deception Involved:
The purpose of making a duplicate must not be to deceive anyone.
There must be a clear distinction between the original and the copy, so the copy is not sold as the original.
❖ Permission from the Owner or Company:
Permission should be obtained from the owner or company of the original product,
or at the very least, it should be confirmed that they do not object to such duplication.
❖ Legal Compliance:
It must be legally permitted in the country or region where the business is being conducted.
If the government, due to any legitimate interest, prohibits such a practice, then compliance with that ruling is necessary—because in permissible matters, obeying the ruling authority is obligatory.
If all these conditions are fulfilled, then manufacturing and trading in first copy (duplicate) branded items is permissible.
However, if any one of these conditions is neglected, then manufacturing, selling, or participating in such a business becomes impermissible.
والله أعلم