What you describe is a copy, not a counterfeit. Referring to it as an axis lock may constitute trademark violation... in the US. But they aren't in the US. Does that make it wrong or immoral? Probably about as wrong as a business relocating from, say, California to Texas because of lax business requirements in the latter state. Few people, especially in Texas, would take seriously the idea that such a business is immoral because their business practices that are legal in Texas are illegal in California. But plenty of the same well meaning folks would have no compunction pulling that card when it comes to Chinese products. Want to talk about the morality of IP law? That's a rabbit hole that is far from clear cut, with some seriously strong arguments that American IP law has crept out of control, not out of some high moral ground, but at the behest of well monied interests vested in keeping their legal monopolies stronger and longer than ever. Of course, to keep competitors from competing, and customers paying higher costs.
I thank Dog for the internet, modern transportation, for making the world small enough that these lessons of capitalism can be learned so easily and inexpensively.
