Since none of us (save Jerry at Stillwater) have visited any Pakistani or Chinese factories where highlandwear is produced, we can't comment on their labor practices with first hand knowledge.

What we CAN comment on is the blatant COPYING of propietary designs of L & M sporrans, Margaret Morrison sporrans, Broadsword Sporrans, Glen Esk Buckles, etc. from these factories. The bottom line is that it's extremely expensive for this small 'cottage industry' that we're in to legally go after a company in Pakistan or China. Many times, it's cheaper to just stop that design and come up with a new one... OR sue the companies SELLING the 'knock off' products in the US or UK (where the design can be copyrighted). While that doesn't hurt the PRODUCERS of the item, it does hurt the people who BUY from the producers.

We have this same problem with proprietary / Copyrighted tartans... look at the Isle of Skye (aka 'Bright Skye') tartan. It's a proprietary design that is COPIED in Pakistan / China. The owner, Rosemay Samois, successfully sued the Gold Brothers firm in the UK to stop them from illegally importing it and selling it. The problem is, it's still being produced in Pakistan and China.

THIS is why I copyright AND register all tartans USAK creates and watermark every product picture on our website. Scumbags think that just because a picture is 'out there' that it's free to steal and use. The sad thing is, it costs the LEGITIMATE businesses time and money while the theives can just dance around the law.

When people complain about companies from Pakistan or China, PLEASE don't automatically assume it's a 'race issue'. Often times, it's a Business ETHICS issue.