Press Release
Redmond, WA (07/07/99) - Faced
with a flood of counterfeit merchandise products based on the phenomenally
popular Pokemon franchise, Nintendo of America Inc. today announced an
aggressive new campaign, which will result in increased legal actions and
customs confiscations.
The latest seizure by U.S. Customs officials occurred last week in
Elizabeth, N.J., and resulted in the confiscation of $250,000 worth of
illicit Pokemon plush dolls, figurines, key chains, clocks and other
items. Ultimately, the goods will be destroyed.
Millions of dollars of goods have already been seized in North America
including counterfeit toys, plush animals, stickers, trading cards and
video games at border crossings and retail locations in San Francisco,
Honolulu, New Jersey, Toronto and Vancouver, B.C. Targets for the new
efforts will include manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers.
In addition, Nintendo will train customs agents and store personnel on how
to better identify counterfeit products.
Richard Flamm, General Counsel, Nintendo of America announced, "As
the popularity of Pokemon soars, potential losses from that franchise
alone cost the merchants and the licensees millions of dollars. Nintendo
is committed to an aggressive campaign to prevent the illegal importation
of these infringing products.''
The popularity of Pokemon is based on the concept of collecting,
developing and trading over 150 separate characters. Introduced originally
in Japan for Nintendo's hand held Game Boy video game system, the craze in
the U.S. this year will expand to the Nintendo 64 home console. Its
unprecedented popularity will continue to increase through a wide range of
popular franchised products including trading cards, toys, and a
six-day-a-week network cartoon show.
The original video game was introduced in North America last September,
and by early spring a significant flow of unauthorized products began to
appear across the U.S. Company anti-piracy programs also exist in Canada,
Latin America and Europe.
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