WWE Gets Federal Injunction Allowing Them To Confiscate Counterfeit Merchandise
No fakes allowed.
PWInsider reports that WWE successfully obtained an injunction order in the United States District Court of New Jersey on Apr. 15 to prevent distribution and sale of counterfeit items bearing the WWE name, trademarks, or copyrights. The order allows WWE and local authorities to confiscate any counterfeit items found being sold by bootleggers.
The Court ruled, “(a) WWE is likely to succeed in showing that Defendants have used counterfeit or infringing marks in connection with the sale, offering for sale or distribution of goods or services; (b) WWE will suffer immediate and irreparable injury and will have no adequate remedy at law if this Court declines to grant a preliminary injunction and order of seizure; (c) the harm to WWE should this Court not grant the requested preliminary injunction and order of seizure clearly outweighs any harm which Defendants might incur if the preliminary injunction and order of seizure is granted; (d) the public interest is served with the issuance of the preliminary injunction and order of seizure.”
The injunction ordered “Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are hereby authorized and directed to seize any and all Counterfeit Merchandise and any records documenting the manufacture, sale or receipt of the Counterfeit Merchandise, in the possession, dominion or control of Defendants, their agents or persons acting in concert or participation with them. All seized items shall be delivered up to the care and custody of Plaintiff or Plaintiff’s attorneys pending further instructions from the Court. The seized goods shall be kept in identifiable containers.”
WWE annually attempts to obtain such injunctions to slow down the sale of counterfeit merchandise and will likely pursue similar action in Florida, the home of WrestleMania 36.
