Next month's opening of Texas Motor Speedway has local
police and state lawmakers preparing for an "influx" of fake
NASCAR merchandise sold by counterfeiters, according to
Nancy Donisi of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Sgt. John Faber,
head of Arlington's robbery and counterfeiting unit, sent a
letter to the State Legislature's Criminal Jurisprudence
Committee in support of a proposed law that would "tighten
penalties against those who sell bogus merchandise." State
Rep. Allen Place noted there are current laws in TX that
address counterfeiting, but they are "vague and sometimes
unenforceable." Place's pending bill would alter the
current penal code to specifically define counterfeit
merchandise. It would expand the range of penalty options,
from misdemeanor to felonies, "depending on the price of the
fake merchandise being sold" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/22).
AUTHENTIC INFORMATION: Texas Motor Speedway plans to
have 23 permanent souvenir booths under the grandstand.
NASCAR merchandise also will be sold from 26 trailers
situated in the track's infield, and from four luxury suites
converted into retail outlets. The Speedway is currently
negotiating licensing deals with companies to manufacture
TMS items. JCPenney, Wal-Mart, Target and other retailers
will sell the items (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/22).
