CHICAGO, July 2 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball has formed a task force to crack down on the illegal production and sale of counterfeit merchandise during All-Star Week, July 11-15, in Chicago.
MLB will work with several agencies, including the FBI and the Chicago Police Department. They will target potential counterfeiters and has warned that violators will be enforced to the full extent of the law.
"Counterfeit goods virtually never compare in quality to the genuine goods that are produced by official Major League Baseball licensees," said Ethan Orlinsky, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Major League Baseball Properties. "Our task force sets out to ensure that our fans get exactly what they pay for when they leave each and every All-Star Week event in Chicago."
Counterfeit merchandise will be subject to seizure, and people found guilty of producing, selling, or trafficking counterfeit merchandise will be subject to civil and criminal penalties which could include fines of up to $2 million and imprisonment for up to 10 years.
