U.S. Officials Seize 70 Websites

[snakeair]

Looks like some folks are out of business and could be in even more trouble.

Federal officials said Thursday they have seized 70 websites that allegedly offered counterfeit merchandise as part of an ongoing effort targeting sites that infringe intellectual property.

Many seized sites of the operation, which was led by the Homeland Security Department’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, were created to look like legitimate sites and even provided security certificates used to signal to consumers that they were shopping on a legitimate site.

U.S. agents made undercover purchases of a wide range of products, ranging from...

Continued at: http://mashable.com/2012/07/12/offic...eize-websites/

[robjones]

That action was a foregone conclusion. Owning a site selling replicas of goods protected by Trademark is the internet equivalent of having a bedroom full of stolen cartons of cigarettes, or painting the word Rolex on a case of Timex watches for resale. Eventually the knock on the door will come.

The people that built the brand do have an enforceable claim when someone slaps their logo on a different product and cuts the real owner out of his income. Hope none of our crew here got nailed in the crackdown.

[DexMatt]

I think this is just a startup of this illegal sells that many are doing over the internet. They should do this more often, since you really don't know what you buy anymore this days..

[Bob Barr]

Originally Posted by DexMatt

I think this is just a startup of this illegal sells that many are doing over the internet. They should do this more often, since you really don't know what you buy anymore this days..

Are you trying to say that the $20 Rolex I just got might not be real??

[snakeair]

Right before the Super Bowl is the biggest time for them to do the take down's.

Bob, there is a slim chance that it is a fake.

[DexMatt]

Originally Posted by Bob Barr

Are you trying to say that the $20 Rolex I just got might not be real??

Not saying is not real but for $20 is it Rolex? I doubt, and those who are using brand names on fake products should certainly pay fines.

Unless is a internet law that allows this kind of sells.

[Jim Gillum]

I like it...
Always in favor of seizing the "goods" from the bad guys......

I wish they would take down that fake FBI director site that tells me by Nigerian money is now available...

I want to buy..Bob's watch....))))))
.
.

[DexMatt]

Originally Posted by Jim Gillum

I like it...
Always in favor of seizing the "goods" from the bad guys......

I wish they would take down that fake FBI director site that tells me by Nigerian money is now available...

I want to buy..Bob's watch....))))))
.
.

hehe ))

Let's start the bid !

[marketingmanuk]

US officials also seized many online gambling domains - even though the law is not entirely clear whether online poker is illegal in the US at a federal level. The DoJ seems to take action first and then later deal with the consequences. My view would be that if you have any business that the US authorities may disapprove of (even if in a grey legal area) do not use a .com domain!