It's their responsibility to make sure that they're selling me what they promised me. If they can't do that, then maybe I shouldn't be purchasing from them.

Ok fine. Link me the spec that allows me to determine whether an FTDI part is genuine and I'll gladly inform the supply chain, manufacturing and testing teams I work with to reference that spec moving forward. Until then, we have to avoid anything with an FTDI brand as there's no way to be sure. Going with whomever I think is the most reputable supplier and then praying my products aren't bricked at some point in the future isn't the solution.

Again, that is all their responsibility.

Who is this they you are referring to? If ftdi doesn't provide specs, resellers can't create them out of thin air. My only option is to not buy ftdi.

I didn't say it was effective, its a tricky problem to curb.