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Super Bowl Bust: Feds Grab 307 NFL Websites; $4.8M

Posted by timothy on from the first-they-came-for-the-pirated-sports-gewgaws dept.

coondoggie writes "Speaking at a National Football League press conference ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said special agents this week seized a total of 307 websites and snatched up 42,692 items of phony Super Bowl-related memorabilia along with other counterfeit items for a total take of more than $4.8 million – up from $3.72 million last year."

15 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. China by Nethemas+the+Great · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because we can only transfer money through "legitimate" channels to China. Waste of my tax dollars if ever there was one...

    --
    Two of my imaginary friends reproduced once ... with negative results.
    1. Re:China by Firehed · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Not that I support this kind of action, but it at least proves that bills like SOPA are unnecessary. Rights-holders already have a legal means to deal with infringers. It may be inefficient, but I think most slashdotters would agree that's preferable to the alternative.

      --
      How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
    2. Re:China by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      and I'd like to know when the copyright, trademark holders will be getting a bill for the government's services.

    3. Re:China by Ihmhi · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'd like to know why any of you think it's important for the government to make a profit when it comes to law enforcement.

      This retarded mindset is the reason we have speed traps everywhere.

      --
      Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
    4. Re:China by Skater · · Score: 5, Insightful

      On a related note, I wonder if Slashdot paid for the rights to use the term "Super Bowl" - the NFL defends that term pretty vigorously. This is why places that have, for example, televisions on sale this week have signs up that say, "Get your new TV for the big game!" Grocery stores refer to food for the "big game" party. And so on.

      The other day, I even heard a DJ on Sirius (satellite radio) saying he wasn't sure what he could say in regards to the game. The odd part is that Sirius will be carrying the game, so even within companies that ARE actually affiliated with the NFL, it's not clear.

  2. Doesn't this prove... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...that the curren laws are enough to fight counterfeits?

  3. great use of our tax money by peas_n_carrots · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I mean, because counterfeit NFL gear is incredibly detrimental to society. Unlike drugs, murder, and other violence. And why spend money on education when money can be thrown towards law enforcement to satisfy the corporate overlords. Another way of looking at it... thousands of jobs have been destroyed so that the uber-rich NFL owners can snatch even more money from the commoners.

    1. Re:great use of our tax money by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      To the Feds, it's not about priorities. It's about taking action to justify their department and funding necessary to maintain the status quo (and then some). It's precisely why the go after the low hanging fruit first and foremost.

      I suppose you could say their priorities are self-serving. Screw dealing with violent offenders and crime. That just too dangerous and politically incorrect.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:great use of our tax money by Obfuscant · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Another way of looking at it... thousands of jobs have been destroyed

      Thousands of criminal jobs...

      so that the uber-rich NFL owners can snatch even more money from the commoners.

      Those commoners are going to spend the money. Getting rid of the fake websites doesn't mean more people will spend more money, it only changes who they spend it with. Do you think it is better that they wind up with something that has no value should they ever try to resell it? You hate the rich so much that you'll throw your fellow citizen to the wolves who are making fake goods and selling them at real prices?

    3. Re:great use of our tax money by BoberFett · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Not to mention that apparently the Super Bowl is enough of a national treasure to spend tens of millions of dollars in law enforcement, but not enough of a national treasure that it belongs to the citizens of the USA.

      So we all get to pay for protecting it but only a select few are allowed to profit off of it. More privatizing of profits while socializing the costs.

  4. More bad news? by Artea · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Reading Slashdot every day is starting to make me wonder if I'm allowed to do anything besides spend all my money and work (for less) without getting sued or arrested for copyright, patent, counterfeiting, or violating some all encompassing do-what-I-say law.

  5. ACTA? by t4ng* · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While everyone was fretting over SOPA/PIPA, Obama secretly signed the ACTA treaty back in October, 2011. Both Obama And Bush declared during their respective presidencies that the text of ACTA was classified due to national security. Both denied FOI petitions. So how does a citizen have any hope of not breaking the law when the laws themselves are kept secret from citizens?

  6. The Obama Administration's Priorities by Adrian+Lopez · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Taking down domains without a trial, secretly negotiating international IP treaties (ACTA), threatening American ISPs into adopting a "six strikes" policy...

    Judging by its actions, IP enforcement is clearly the Obama Administration's top priority. Is it corruption, or is it just plain disregard for justice and the due process of law?

    --
    "In prison you just have to shut your eyes and take it. Here you have to shut your eyes and give it."
  7. 0.1% by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    NFL revenue is about 4 billion. Clearly this is not a threat to their business.

    The FBI needs to have it's budget cut if this is the best thing they can do. I mean 4 million is one SUV full of cocaine.

  8. Yeah yea, the feds being bullies by HeckRuler · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But what's more shocking is that this is done in the name of football.
    It's just a game. No more dignified then tiddlywinks, starcraft, or mumbley-peg. The NFL got the FEDS to bust up counterfeiters? For $4.8 million in loot? Really?

    Come on guys, get a grip. I'd like to say that nobody cares how "your team" did, but sadly I can't. All I can say is nobody should really care. It's an activity that does not warrant caring.