The Feds Shut Down Five Websites for
Selling Counterfeit Golf Products as Part of "Operation In Our Sites"
December 6, 2010 - Shanghai, PRC - The U.S. Golf Manufacturers
Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (the "Anti-Counterfeiting Group")
reports that the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the
National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center)
have obtained court orders seizing the domain names of five websites
that are accused of selling counterfeit golf equipment and violating
U.S. copyright law. The seizure of these sites was part of a wide
crackdown by government officials against illegal trafficking in many
different types of counterfeit goods. The enforcement action was
referred to as "Operation In Our Sites" and announced by federal
officials on "Cyber Monday," November 29.
The websites that the federal authorities seized for selling counterfeit
golf products are:
Following the issuance of the court orders, each website now displays a
notice on its home page stating that "[w]illful copyright infringement
is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders of up
to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture and
restitution. Intentionally and knowingly trafficking in counterfeit
goods is a federal crime that carries penalties for first time offenders
of up to ten years in federal prison, a $2,000,000 fine, forfeiture and
restitution."
According to the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, "the enforcement action
taken against these websites sends a strong message that counterfeiting
is a serious crime with real consequences. It also protects consumers
who are defrauded by counterfeiters, as well as U.S. companies who
invest substantial resources in developing high quality products." The
Anti-Counterfeiting Group commends the federal authorities for taking
strong action against these sites and intends to continue to pursue
legal action against these and others involved in manufacturing or
selling counterfeit golf products.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group warns consumers who are shopping on-line
during the holiday season that there are many other websites that sell
counterfeit golf products. These sites frequently ship directly from
China at prices that may look "too good to be true." According to the
Group, even though counterfeit golf products may look similar in
appearance, they are typically made from substandard materials and will
perform poorly.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group consists of the world's leading golf
equipment manufacturers. Its members and brands include Acushnet Company
- Titleist and FootJoy; Callaway Golf - Odyssey, Top-Flite and Ben
Hogan; Cleveland Golf /Srixon and Never Compromise; PING; and
TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth. The Anti-Counterfeiting Group was
formed in 2004 to petition governments to enforce their country's laws
against counterfeiters of golf equipment products. As a result of the
Anti-Counterfeiting Group's petitioning efforts, dozens of successful
raids of manufacturing, warehouse, assembly and retail facilities have
been executed by law enforcement and civil enforcement authorities over
the past six years.
