Flyers

Jerseys! Rangers Unveil Winter Classic Sweaters, US Government Shuts Down Counterfeit Sites

By Kyle Scott

Published: Nov 28th, 2011 · 4:22 PM EST

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Photo: SNY Rangers Blog and NYRangersBlog.com, both sites worth checking out for Classic

The Rangers unveiled their Winter Classic jerseys in the most drawn out, anti-climactic way possible today. But, finally, Henrik Lundqvist led out the fruity, Mad Men-looking crew.

I like the jerseys, actually. Always have liked the Rangers' logo and color scheme. These are plain and the shrunken shield is a bit hokey-looking, but other than that, the sweaters will make a nice addition to the aesthetic appeal of the game.

… 

Speaking of jerseys, the federal government shutdown over 150 websites that sold illegal and counterfeited jerseys (among other items) today. 

Here’s the statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcment via Philly.com:

To mark the official beginning of the online holiday shopping season, known as Cyber Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), the Department of Justice and the FBI Washington Field Office have seized 150 website domain names that were illegally selling and distributing counterfeit merchandise.

"For most, the holidays represent a season of good will and giving, but for these criminals, it's the season to lure in unsuspecting holiday shoppers," said ICE Director John Morton. "More and more Americans are doing their holiday shopping online, and they may not realize that purchasing counterfeit goods results in American jobs lost, American business profits stolen and American consumers receiving substandard products. And the ramifications can be even greater because the illicit profits made from these types of illegal ventures often fuel other kinds of organized crime."

"Through this operation we are aggressively targeting those who are selling counterfeit goods for their own personal gain while costing our economy much-needed revenue and jobs," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "Intellectual property crimes harm businesses and consumers, alike, threatening economic opportunity and financial stability, and today we have sent a clear message that the Department will remain ever vigilant in protecting the public's economic welfare and public safety through robust intellectual property enforcement." 

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, YukiJersey, the site that helped perpetuate phony Winter Classic jerseys, still exists, most likely because it’s not US-based.

The full list of sites is here. 

H/T to (@DXFlyers)