Redmond, WA (07/07/99) - Faced with a flood of counterfeit
merchandise products based on the phenomenally popular Pokemon
franchise, Nintendo of America Inc. today announced an aggressive
new campaign, which will result in increased legal actions and
customs confiscations. The latest seizure by U.S. Customs officials occurred last week inElizabeth, N.J., and resulted in the confiscation of $250,000 worth of illicit Pokemon plush dolls, figurines, key chains, clocks and otheritems. Ultimately, the goods will be destroyed. Millions of dollars of goods have already been seized in North
America including counterfeit toys, plush animals, stickers, trading
cards and video games at border crossings and retail locations in
San Francisco, Honolulu, New Jersey, Toronto and Vancouver, B.C.
Targets for the new efforts will include manufacturers, distributors,
importers and retailers. In addition, Nintendo will train customs
agents and store personnel on how to better identify counterfeit
products.Richard Flamm, General Counsel, Nintendo of America announced,"As the popularity of Pokemon soars, potential losses from thatfranchise alone cost the merchants and the licensees millions ofdollars. Nintendo is committed to an aggressive campaign to prevent the illegal importation of these infringing products.'' The popularity of Pokemon is based on the concept of collecting,
developing and trading over 150 separate characters. Introduced
originally in Japan for Nintendo's hand held Game Boy video game
system, the craze in the U.S. this year will expand to the Nintendo
64 home console. Its unprecedented popularity will continue to
increase through a wide range of popular franchised products
including trading cards, toys, and a six-day-a-week network cartoon
show.The original video game was introduced in North America last
September, and by early spring a significant flow of unauthorized
products began to appear across the U.S. Company anti-piracy
programs also exist in Canada, Latin America and Europe.

-Important Dates-

Episodes: 57+
En - Sept 4, 99

Game: Snap
July 26, 99

Game: Yellow
Sept 6, 99

Game: Stadium 2
Mar, 00

Movie:
Nov 12, 99

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