CK Productions Inc, Counterfeit Goods Trafficking, NH 2015

BOSTON – A New Hampshire company is facing the music after pleading guilty to flooding the market with fake New England Patriots gear during the team’s 2015 championship run. CK Productions, Inc., based in Pelham, N.H., admitted in federal court today to trafficking in counterfeit goods – a brazen attempt to profit off the backs of devoted fans and the team’s hard-earned success.

The feds say CK Productions printed and peddled roughly 1,724 bogus t-shirts between January and February of 2015, raking in an estimated $29,405. These weren’t some low-quality knockoffs either; the shirts brazenly displayed the trademarked words “Patriots” and “Super Bowl,” along with the official Patriots logo, attempting to deceive unsuspecting customers into believing they were buying the real deal. The victim? NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LLC, and ultimately, the fans.

U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf has set sentencing for September 6, 2017. While the maximum penalty for a corporation convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods is a hefty $5 million fine, the actual sentence will be determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors considered by the judge. Don’t expect the full $5 million, though; federal sentences rarely hit the maximum.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb didn’t mince words, stating this case sends a clear message: ripping off trademarks and deceiving consumers won’t be tolerated. He, along with Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, announced the guilty plea, highlighting the collaborative effort to crack down on counterfeit operations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Bookbinder, head of Weinreb’s Cyber Crime Unit, is the lead prosecutor on the case. It’s a reminder that even seemingly “small-time” counterfeiting schemes can fall under the purview of federal cybercrime investigations, especially when they involve interstate trafficking and trademark infringement. This wasn’t just about t-shirts; it was about protecting intellectual property and ensuring a level playing field for legitimate businesses.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. This serves as a stark warning to anyone considering profiting from counterfeit goods: the long arm of the law reaches far, and the consequences can be substantial. The NFL, known for fiercely protecting its brand, undoubtedly applauded this bust, sending a message that they won’t stand for anyone profiting from their hard-won reputation.