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Warning! Counterfeiters Looking to Sell Fake Memorabilia to Super Bowl Fans

03-Feb-2011 | Source : | Visits : 7779

NEW YORK, NY - As Super Bowl XLV approaches, the International Trademark Association (INTA) warned in a press release football fans of the abundance of fake NFL merchandise on the market.

Super Bowl Sunday will be one of the biggest days of the year for sports fans around the world, as two historic franchises—the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers—take the field to battle for the Lombardi Trophy. Yet every year, counterfeiters take advantage of the popular event and loyal NFL enthusiasts by pushing illegitimate goods to unsuspecting fans.

“Counterfeit and knock-off goods use sub-par materials that leave consumers with poor quality merchandise,” said Alan C. Drewsen, INTA executive director. “They also take away revenue and jobs from legitimate manufacturers—unnecessary blows to an already fragile economy.”

To help football fans, INTA has compiled tips on what to look for when purchasing Super Bowl apparel and merchandise. Consumers should:

1. Shop in established stores and be wary of street and out-of-trunk vendors.
2. Not buy items of poor quality that have irregular stitching or uneven coloring.
3. Avoid items without an authentic logo or with an awkward looking label.
4. Be cautious of items with prices that are uncharacteristically low.
5. Ensure that the player and team names are spelled correctly.

Authorities already seized more than $40,000 worth of counterfeit NFL apparel in Honolulu, HI, where the Pro Bowl took place last Sunday. At last year’s Super Bowl in Miami, Florida, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized 8,165 items of counterfeit Super Bowl memorabilia valued at more than $400,000.

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a worldwide association of member companies and firms that support and advance trademarks and intellectual property as elements of fair and effective global commerce.

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