Olympic Notes
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USOC Files Lawsuits Against Web Sites
Over Illegal Use Of Olympic Marks |
In N.Y., Katie Thomas reports the USOC has filed lawsuits against at least two Web sites, beijingticketing.com and beijing-2008tickets.com, claiming that the sites "illegally used Olympic trademarks and sold tickets that were never sent to the buyers." The USOC "has authorized only one company, known as both CoSport and Jet Set Sports, to sell tickets" in the U.S (N.Y. TIMES, 7/24). In L.A., Greg Johnson reported the lawsuits filed in Arizona and Northern California "allege fraudulent activity by a ticket company doing business as 'Xclusive Leisure and Hospitality,'" a company that "apparently has operations in Phoenix" (LATIMES.com, 7/23).
KEEP IT CLEAN: REUTERS' Ben Blanchard reported China yesterday warned its media that the government "would not tolerate 'obscene, sexual, superstitious or base' advertisements over the Olympic period which may embarrass the country." In a statement on its Web site, the government said that banned ads include "those for products which claim to increase sexual potency ... and for cigarettes." The government stated advertisers should "concentrate on the Beijing Olympics' main themes, such as the 'green Olympics' and the 'cultured Olympics.'" The government in the statement also said that "those found violating the rules will be 'dealt with in accordance with the law'" (REUTERS, 7/23).
EMPTY ROOMS: In London, Jane Macartney reports Beijing hotels "have been forced to slash their rates after struggling to fill their rooms" for the Beijing Games. Four-star hotels have said that "they are not even half-booked, compared with normal occupancy of 80[%] in August." Beijing tourism officials said that average prices for three-star hotels "are down to [$60] a night from [$100] in previous months" (LONDON TIMES, 7/24).
LOCKDOWN: In San Jose, Bruce Newman reports more than 600 members of the U.S. Olympic team until August 5 are staying at San Jose State Univ., "which the USOC has transformed into a kind of reverse Ellis Island." The USOC's idea "was to move the athletes through [San Jose] with as little attention from the public as possible," as organizers "don't want athletes to deal with autograph seekers or crowds" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/24).
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