Legal action is now being taken against various online and offline outlets.
Following on from the recent announcement regarding counterfeiting and brand abuse, we are pleased to report that significant progress has been made as the Club works to protect its history and its future. The response from our fans has been incredible and we have received a large amount of information regarding outlets who are continuing to produce counterfeit products and retail unofficial Barnsley FC merchandise.The scale of counterfeiting and brand abuse, locally, nationally and internationally (particularly in the Far East), is significant and the Club is now taking the relevant steps in order to protect its brand.
Subsequently, these leads have been investigated by Trading Standards and legal action is now being taken, with prosecutions likely to follow. We are continuing to seize large amounts of counterfeit merchandise items from multiple online and offline organisations. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to all our fans who have got behind the Club and supported this initiative. Your ongoing assistance and support in this area greatly helps the Club to protect its brand assets and generate funds for reinvestment and sustainability in the future.
Over the coming weeks and months, the Club, assisted by brand protection experts Back Four Limited and Trading Standards, will continue to investigate these leads and bring offending outlets to justice.
Why is the Club taking action on counterfeiting and brand abuse?
The production of counterfeit goods has become a serious issue and this has a huge commercial and financial impact on Barnsley Football Club. Counterfeiting and brand abuse restricts the Club’s ability to build a sustainable future, and therefore action must be taken. It is the Club’s legal right to protect its history and its future.
Furthermore, following inspection of the seized items, a number of serious quality and safety issues have been highlighted. The Club brand is now vulnerable to international counterfeiting and many of the seized items have been manufactured in the Far East, which do not meet UK testing and safety standards. There is a clear risk factor with these items and this further demonstrates the Club’s need to protect fans by removing these items from circulation.
For these reasons the Club deems it necessary to take the appropriate steps to protect its brand assets and ensure fans’ safety in the future.
How can our fans help?
We know we have loyal fans and would encourage you to support the Club by reporting any instances of counterfeiting or brand abuse by emailing us at brandprotection@barnsleyfc.co.uk. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence and shared only with trusted law enforcement colleagues.
We know our fans are always supporting us on and off the pitch and therefore we appreciate any help or assistance you can offer us regarding this matter.
