Courthouse News Service

NEW ORLEANS (CN) – World Wrestling Entertainment can seize counterfeit merchandise sold outside live wrestling events, the 5th Circuit ruled. Though a federal judge had denied WWE relief against “fly-by-night” counterfeiters selling unauthorized products, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit found Tuesday that an ex-parte seizure and temporary restraining order are available to it under the Trademark Counterfeiting Act. These counterfeiters set up shop alongside wrestling fans as they line up outside live WWE events across the country, “cannibalizing WWE’s merchandise sales by purveying unauthorized products,” according to the ruling’s summary of WWE’s case.