Counterfeit 2011 shirts seized

NZ 2011: Crackdown on counterfeit merchandising

New Zealand customs has intercepted a consignment of more than 1,000 fake Rugby World Cup 2011 T-Shirts coming through customs.

Both the organisers of the event and the customs department have welcomed the seizure, which the General Manager of RWC 2011, Ross Young, explained was helping safeguard the future of the game.

"The sport relies on the revenue stream generated by the sale of official merchandise and the greed of these counterfeiters significantly undermines this," he said.

"We have a comprehensive rights protection programme in place to protect the RWC 2011 brand and the rights granted to our commercial partners. It is good to see it working effectively with the discovery and detention of these goods."

Customs Group Manager Investigations and Response, Bill Perry said the counterfeit clothing is being sold on to unsuspecting consumers through discount shops, markets, and the internet, and reminded consumers of the only two licensed brands.

"They are purchasing what they believe is the real thing when in fact they are buying an inferior product," he said.

"The only way people can guarantee they are buying genuine Rugby World Cup 2011 clothing is to buy from official licensees and there are only two - Canterbury or Sportfolio."