If you buy a Chinese counterfeit, you're committing a crime. It's illegal, hands down, no way to justify it. It's the same concept as bootleg DVD's. Not legal. If the seller claims he's legitimate, you're still doing something illegal. Actually, there is a defense if the buyer reasonably believes that the jerseys are legitimate. There is also a debate as to whether the buyer could be prosecuted if they are buying for personal use. If they are buying to resell, then they are putting themselves in the chain of selling counterfeit goods, which is obviously illegal. However, if they are buying for personal use, that may be legal. The government could seize any goods bought for personal use but may not be able to prosecute the buyer. So yes, sometimes there is justification. If the seller is representing them as real, they look real (such as having official patches and tags), and a person could reasonably believe they are real, then there is a defense. It's not all or nothing. Also, there's no reason for you to be condescending with your stealing things comment. I was simply stating what my experience was.