NHL Issues Warning to Hockey Fans:

Beware of Counterfeit

NHL All-Star Game Merchandise

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When the NHL All-Star Game visits Atlanta this week, unsuspecting hockey fans – eager to commemorate this special event – will be targeted by counterfeiters attempting to sell unauthorized and poorly produced knock-off merchandise. Potential victims will range from legitimate retailers in the Atlanta area to hockey fans who believe they’re purchasing authentic merchandise, only to later learn they’ve obtained counterfeit merchandise of inferior quality.

“We strive for the highest level of quality control”

Since 1993, the NHL – 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 the NHL All-Star Game, taking place at the Philips Arena in Atlanta on Sunday, January 27. Indeed, at the recent NHL Winter Classic event, local law enforcement seized over 1,100 pieces of counterfeit NHL apparel.

In Atlanta, the NHL will be coordinating with local law enforcement authorities, who will be responsible for enforcing laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit merchandise.

“We want our fans to understand that you get what you pay for when it comes to counterfeits,” said Michael Gold, NHL Enterprises Senior Counsel, Legal and Business Affairs. “A counterfeit T-shirt is not a keepsake if it contains a typo or shrinks three sizes when you put it in the laundry.”

To avoid being victimized by counterfeiters, Gold urges fans to:

• Look for the NHL hologram sticker or hangtag and a sewn-in label identifying the merchandise as "official," as authorized by the NHL.
• Shop at official NHL and Atlanta Thrashers stores and souvenir stands, NHL.com and other legitimate retailers, rather than buying items from street vendors, flea markets, or other questionable sources.
• Beware of ripped tags, typographical errors, poor quality screen-printing, or irregular markings on apparel.
• Be suspicious of items where the price is too good to be true.

In addition to misleading consumers who believe they are buying official memorabilia, counterfeiting significantly harms legitimate vendors through lost business.

“We strive for the highest level of quality control,” said Gold. “Not only do we want to protect legitimate local businesses who play by the rules, but we also want to ensure that our fans take home memorabilia that will last along with their memories of the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.”

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.

To Interview Michael Gold or another NHL representative:

Please call Jennifer Peters, 314/982-9167 (office) or 314/422-9305 (cell).