Feds seize 101 domains for counterfeiting in "Cyber Monday" operation
Dozens of domains were seized on Monday in a coordinated raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its counterparts in several European nations. American officials seized 101 domain names, while the Europeans seized 31. The domains were allegedly used for the distribution of counterfeit goods.
The raids were timed to coincide with "Cyber Monday," the day the nation's white-collar workers kick off their online holiday shopping from their work computers. Control over the domains was transferred to government officials who replaced the websites' contents with a warning about the penalties for trafficking in counterfeit goods.
According to a press release issued by ICE, the counterfeit goods in question included "professional sports jerseys, DVD sets, and a variety of clothing, jewelry and luxury goods from online retailers who were suspected of selling counterfeit products." Federal magistrate judges issued orders to seize the domains.
