WNY’ers Arrested for Making Buffalo Bills Merchandise

Police have arrested a few people living throughout Western New York as they are starting to arrest people on counterfeit merchandise.

The Orchard Park Police arrested at least four people earlier this week for selling items with the Buffalo Bills logo and likeness on it.

It is a sting that is happening called Operation Bootleg Blitz

The National Football League and police agencies across the United States are cracking down on the unpremitted sale of merchandise and counterfeit products bearing trademarked logos. The people that were arrested were trying to sell merchandise outside of the game on Thursday night and the violation is "peddling without a permit".

They were selling items with Buffalo Bills logo on there from jerseys to t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and bags.

What is going to happen to the people that are arrested?

They were all release and given tickets to appear in court later this week.

It is almost like Zubaz, which is registered and trademarked. There was a crack down a couple of years ago for businesses and even down to Etsy stores who are selling zubaz printed merch and they were given ceased and desist letters. Zubaz it's not suddenly known to aggressively protect the registered trademark in the red white and blue zebra print and will go after and have people sued.

It is not uncommon for people in Western New York to sell Buffalo Bills merchandise and even printed themselves but now you have to be even more careful because it is certainly not permitted, even though you see a lot of people do it. Major stores have gotten to become licensed merchandise stores across Western New York and that's why you'll see some very popular stores be able to sell it legally.