2008-05-09 23:07:41 -

www.capsinfo.com - Fleishman-Hillard Jennifer Peters, 314-982-9167 jennifer.peters@fleishman.com As the Detroit Red Wings head to the NHL Western Conference Finals, unsuspecting hockey fans - eager to show their support for their favorite team and players - will be targeted by counterfeiters attempting to sell unauthorized and poorly produced knock-off merchandise. Potential victims will range from legitimate

retailers in the Detroit area to Red Wings fans who believe they're purchasing authentic merchandise, only to learn later they've obtained counterfeit merchandise of inferior quality.

Since 1993, the NHL - through its membership in the Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) - has been involved in the seizure of more than nine million pieces of counterfeit merchandise featuring the logos of various professional sports leagues and teams, colleges and universities - valued at more than $329 million. Such counterfeiting often occurs around large sporting events like the NHL playoffs as the demand for team gear rises among fans. For example, at this season's NHL Winter Classic event, local law enforcement seized over 1,100 pieces of counterfeit NHL apparel, and at the league's All-Star Game in Atlanta, several hundred counterfeit NHL All-Star shirts were confiscated.

The NHL will be cooperating with local law enforcement authorities, who will be responsible for enforcing local laws prohibiting the sale of counterfeit merchandise during the Western Conference Finals.

"The better a team performs on the ice, the more appealing its name and logo become among fans and counterfeiters alike," said Michael Gold, NHL Enterprises senior counsel, legal and business affairs. "Fans may think they're purchasing a T-shirt or jersey in support of their favorite team but, in reality, they're only supporting counterfeiters."

"We want our fans to understand that you get what you pay for when it comes to counterfeits," added Gold. "A counterfeit T-shirt is not a keepsake if it contains a typo or shrinks three sizes when you put it in the laundry."

To avoid being victimized by counterfeiters, Gold urges Red Wings fans to:

-- Look for the NHL hologram sticker or hangtag and a sewn-in label identifying the merchandise as "official" and authorized by the NHL.

-- Shop at the Red Wings official team stores and other legitimate retailers, rather than buy questionable items from street vendors, flea markets, or other such sources.

-- Beware of ripped tags, typographical errors, poor quality screen-printing, or irregular markings on apparel.

-- Be suspicious of items when the price is too good to be true.

In addition to misleading consumers who believe they are buying official memorabilia, counterfeiting significantly harms legitimate vendors through lost business.

"We strive for the highest level of quality control," said Gold. "Not only do we want to protect legitimate local businesses who play by the rules, but we also want to ensure that our fans take home memorabilia that will last along with their memories of the Red Wings' fantastic 2008 season."

About CAPS:

The Coalition to Advance the Protection of Sports logos (CAPS) is an alliance formed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, and NHL Enterprises, L.P. in 1992 to address common trademark protection and enforcement matters of its members. For more information, call 1-800-TEL-CAPS (835-2277) or visit www.capsinfo.com.

To Interview Michael Gold or another NHL representative:

Please call Jennifer Peters, 314/982-9167 (office) or 314/422-9305 (cell).

NHL will be on the lookout for counterfeiters in Detroit during
the Western Conference Finals