Milton Glaser’s Secret Police Have Come For Those Knockoff Ts

If you are uncomfortable with the NYPD spying on any one or thing just because he or it is vaguely connected to Islam, then maybe you’ll feel better that they have also become rather efficient trademark enforcers:

[. . . A] police officer for Manhattan South’s Peddler Task Force, stressed that the onus is on the merchants to make sure they’re receiving the merchandise from legitimate distributors.

“These particular arrests are based on observation . . . and by that time, the crime has been committed already,” said [the officer]. “Unfortunately, the fact that you don’t know an item you’re selling is counterfeit is not a defense or excuse to the Police Department.”

In order for the cops to enforce the law, Rovio, Gucci, and all the other brand-named companies are responsible for training them on the unique traits of their merchandise.

“We don’t make arrests on trademark counterfeit unless we have a complaint [from the brand-named company],” explained [a lieutenant].

And like what happens so often, what starts out as an inspired idea quickly devolves into a cheap way to score some easy collars:

[One vendor] said it’s unfair that vendors are suddenly being arrested for selling items they’ve been selling for years, such as the “I love New York” t-shirt and magnets. “I think the arrests are so simple for the policemen — it’s like a game [for them],” he said.

Earlier: The Fake Prada Window Shopping Theory Of Policing.