Thought this would make a great read by many of you. This story was published in a local golf magazine. We can all learn from this and feel better knowing that authorities in partnership with golf companies are trying to make the e-commerce trading of golf clubs a safer environment.

On July 2nd, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti Counterfeiting Working Group comprised of Acushnet, Callaway, Cleveland, Nike, Ping, and Taylor Made reported that the courts sentenced a 26 year old accused (who will remain not named) following a conviction in February for selling counterfeit golf equipment

The accused was sentenced to three years and six months in jail and also ordered to pay a fine of approx. $58,000 US. The authorities seized the accused vehicle and inventory. The accused was ordered to return approximately $4,360 in illegal profits made from the sales of counterfeit merchandise.

The conviction was the culmination of aggressive petitioning efforts by the US Golf Group. An investigation and raid by authorities was jointly conducted by the partnerships in July 2007. The raid of the accused Sporting Goods Shop led to a seizure of 1,684 pieces of counterfeit golf clubs, 4,764 golf balls, and a large amount of sales records. The accused was arrested and prosecuted in February 2008 for selling counterfeit merchandise.

The court found that during the period of March 2007 and July 2007, the accused purchased counterfeit golf clubs bearing the logos and trademarks owned by the US Golf Group member companies and then resold the fake goods to customers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and other countries through online and mail delivery methods. Sales amounted to $153,436 US.

The appeal period has expired and the accused in now incarcerated.

This story is provided to you from an article published in a local golf magazine. I'm just sharing the article to you.

I think every golfer out there should read it so please vote YES as being helpful.