HOW TO SPOT THE FAKE!
Kessler & Associates recognizes that counterfeit products cause billions of dollars in lost sales to Licensers

New York, NY, June 2, 1998: Kessler & Associates, the premier corporate investigative firm specializing in Intellectual Property Investigation and Consultation, has developed a checklist for spotting counterfeit products in today's market place. Kessler & Associates maintains its headquarters in New York City and is an internationally recognized authority on matters relating to product counterfeiting. Last year, investigators seized over a billion dollars worth of products. Any consumer can fall prey to the counterfeiter. The National Basketball Association (NBA) estimates confiscation of over 87 million dollars worth of fakes. Other sports leagues, the motion picture and record industry as well as software manufacturers report similar or higher estimates. Susan Peterson, Senior Managing Director, warns buyers to look for the following telltale signs:

Labels that are blurred or torn

Colors that are mismatched

Printing that is not perfect

Product names that are misspelled or altered

Missing codes, 800 consumer numbers or trademarks

Prices unrealistically low

Peterson stated "that you should follow the old adage of buyer beware when the price is unrealistically too good to be true." Kessler & Associates has established a TIPS HOTLINE (1-888-TIPOFFS) to allow buyers to report suspected sellers of counterfeit merchandise and obtain additional information about counterfeit products. Callers should note that all calls are confidential and routed to the appropriate individuals.