TSHIRT EXPRESS PRINT GEAR ON FACEBOOK
A WELL-known Co Donegal retailer was forced to withdraw bogus GAA merchandise from sale – or face court action.
T-Shirt Express Print, based at the Riverside Retail Park in Letterkenny, was caught selling Donegal tops complete with the official Donegal GAA logo as well as the famous national GAA logo.
We understand that lawyers for the county board were instructed to take action against the clothes manufacturer and retailer unless the merchandise was removed.
This included baby bibs, mugs and t-shirts – as well as copies of Donegal GAA jerseys.
The move came as people across the county were out trying to raise funds for the county team.
Official merchandise sees money paid directly to Donegal GAA; but copies and other goods which use the logo illegally doesn’t see any money go to the sport.
The County Board moves against at least two companies
It’s understood T-Shirt Express Print in Letterkenny apologised and immediately withdrew all its stock for sale, insisting it didn’t know it was breaching copyright and patenting laws.
It also stopped a marketing campaign which had launched on Facebook.
A second illegal merchandising operation in the Glenties area was also warned against using the official Donegal and GAA logos. This case however may lead to legal action.
A spokesman for Azzurri, which makes official GAA merchandise under a license from the organisation said: “It’s the GAA which loses out when counterfeiters copy genuine merchandise.
“It’s important revenue for county teams and clubs throughout the country. We fully support the Donegal County Board in the actions they have taken.
“As the official manufacturers of sportswear for Donegal, we guarantee
that revenues go straight back to the GAA.”
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