As in, officially licensed NBA merchandise.
We've included an example of a counterfeit 2009 All-Star logo to help customers know what to look for in faux memorabilia.
Ayala Deutsch, senior vice president & chief intellectual property counsel for the NBA, warns in an NBA news release today (reprinted below) to avoid purchasing products of "inferior quality." Typos are one sign of a bad deal -- Shaq rap song titles excluded, naturally.
The NBA hopes to scare people away from purchasing All-Star items at streetcorners, in flea markets or from "other questionable sources."
What? Places like our cherished El Gran Mercado, a "questionable source" for merchandise? Say it isn't so!
NBA CAUTIONS BASKETBALL FANS ABOUT COUNTERFEIT
ALL-STAR MERCHANDISE
League will be
on the lookout for counterfeiters in Phoenix this week,
as city gears
up for NBA All-Star Game
PHOENIX - February 10, 2009 - Basketball fans
aren't the only ones flocking to Phoenix for this week's NBA All-Star
Game. So are counterfeiters, warns the NBA. And they're eager
to target unsuspecting fans with their illegal and poorly produced knock-off
NBA merchandise. Potential victims will range from authorized retailers
in the Phoenix area to basketball fans who believe they're purchasing authentic
NBA souvenirs in commemoration of this special event, only to later learn
they've obtained counterfeit merchandise of inferior quality.
Since 1993, the
NBA - through its membership in the Coalition to Advance the Protection
of Sports logos (CAPS) - has been involved in the seizure of more than
nine million pieces of counterfeit merchandise featuring the logos of various
professional sports leagues and teams, colleges and universities - valued
at more than $329 million. Such counterfeiting often occurs around large
sporting events like NBA All-Star 2009, taking place in Phoenix, February
12-15.
"The NBA
insists upon the highest quality products, to protect both our authorized
vendors and our fans," said Ayala Deutsch, senior
vice president & chief intellectual property counsel for the NBA.
"Counterfeiting is a lose-lose situation, harming those retailers who
play by the rules and cheating fans out of the lasting NBA mementos they
deserve."
To avoid being
victimized by counterfeiters, Deutsch urges basketball fans to:
·
Look for the
hologram sticker or holographic hangtag and a sewn-in or screen printed neck
label identifying the merchandise as "genuine" or
"official," as authorized by the NBA.
·
Shop at NBA-authorized retail locations, such as
the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas at the Phoenix Convention
Center, U.S. Airways Center, NBAStore.com and official hotels - rather
than buying items from street vendors, flea markets, or other questionable
sources.
·
Beware of ripped tags or irregular markings on
apparel.
"When it comes to
counterfeits, you get what you pay for," added Deutsch. "A
counterfeit t-shirt is not a keepsake if it contains a typo or shrinks three
sizes when you put it in the laundry."
In addition to misleading consumers who believe they are buying legitimate
memorabilia, counterfeiting significantly harms lawful vendors through lost
business.
Security at all NBA events will be tight this week and the NBA will
be working closely with federal, state and local law enforcement authorities,
who will be responsible for security measures including the enforcement of
local laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit merchandise during NBA
All-Star 2009 events.
About CAPS:
The Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) is an alliance formed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, and NHL Enterprises, L.P. in 1992 to address common trademark protection and enforcement matters of its members. For more information, call 1-800-TEL-CAPS (835-2277) or visit www.capsinfo.com.
