SVmikeSmith donated heavily to the High 5 foundation, Woodriver Freeride program (which does exactly what you state, gives lower income kids a coached ski environment) and many other organizations. They also invent the tech that keeps your eyes safe. Oakley invests heavily in issues for our returning service members as well as Rx for children that can't afford glasses. Sure they get good PR out of it but so what. They are doing good, Smith is 90% built here in the states thus putting people to work here in the good ol US of A. Now that I killed your arguments... Its theft plain and simple. The Chines are coming over steeling intellectual property, manufacturing it at pennies on the dollar, dumb asses think they are "starting" a goggle line and sell them cheep. How is that helping anyone? I don't care if you buy the cheat rip offs but don't claim that you are any part of the industry or "more core" than you actually are as an ass hole thief.
Fair points for sure. However, commending big brands for keeping your eyes safe is far-fetched. This isn't a safety argument and the tech to keep your eyes 100% safe has been around for a very long time. The newest, most expensive googles don't keep your eyes any safer than crappier ones. As long as they have 100% UV protection, which virtually every goggle has.
For the record, I'm not saying that it's ok to steal someones technology. That is indeed theft.
And if you can get a goggle for cheap, it is helping people. It saves them money that can go toward medical bills, skis, food, lift tix or a season pass, and on an on.