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I bought two things recently: some temperature sensors for a smart home and some cable clips to hide some wiring under a cabinet.

Both were mass produced in China and both shipped with 3M branded adhesive mounting pads. An apt and literal representation of global manufacturing — US made chemicals, Chinese electronics, one clinging to the other.

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If one assumes that those 3M strips are authentic branding... I haven't come across a single tape that offered the expected brand quality.

When I visited China some years ago "3N" was also popular. Same logo font and color, but at least they tried to avoid blatantly infringing the genuine brand.

I imagine most courts in the US would, in fact, find “3N” as blatantly infringing the 3M trademark.

They sell "3N" within China and the US can't really do anything about it.

Totally understood and not under debate. I could have been more clear.

"3N" is blatant infringement, or at least would be understood as such in the US. China simply doesn't enforce trademark infringement in the same way. I am not opining on whether China should.

I said "tried" because in fact 3M filed lawsuit in China against Huawei (which manufactured the 3N products). Surprisingly, the Chinese court found them guilty of infringement and even awarded damages to 3M.

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