NEW YORK, NY - With Super Bowl XLIV days away, the International Trademark Association (INTA) issued a warning to football fans hoping to buy official Super Bowl gear and offered tips on how to spot fake merchandise.
This year, Super Bowl Sunday will be one of the biggest days of the year for sports fans around the world, as the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints face off in what will be a thrilling football game.
Counterfeiters are planning on taking advantage of loyal NFL enthusiasts this year, and INTA is committed to raising awareness on these fake goods and apparel. Illegal counterfeit goods promote child labor and fund organized crime. Counterfeit and knock-off goods also use sub-par materials that leave consumers with second-rate merchandise and take away jobs from legitimate manufacturers.
To help 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. Research goods beforehand to know exactly what they want.
3. Not buy items of poor quality that have irregular stitching or uneven coloring.
4. Avoid items without an authentic logo or with an awkward looking label.
5. Not buy items with prices that are uncharacteristically low.
At last year’s Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida, counterfeit NFL gear was widespread, and hundreds of consumers left the game with cheap, fake football jerseys and merchandise. According to federal, state and local authorities, there were approximately 1,000 pieces of counterfeit NFL goods and a million dollars worth of non-NFL fakes sold illegally at Super Bowl XLIII.
“In this troubled economy, it’s only natural for consumers to look for the best deals around. But when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday and authentic NFL gear, we urge consumers to buy from authorized retailers and trusted stores. Looking back, you’ll be glad that you purchased real merchandise to remember the 2010 Super Bowl,” said INTA Executive Director, Alan C. Drewsen.
To learn more about trademarks and how they protect businesses and consumers, please visit the INTA Media Center.
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.
