Show me someone who predicted federal agents would be engaged in a literal panty raid and I will show you a liar, because the idea is preposterous — at first. But in a scenario that’s actually par for the course for agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (which falls under the Department of Homeland Security’s auspices) put the kibosh on a lingerie boutique for selling unauthorized Kansas City Royals underwear.
The shop’s owner says she didn’t know she’d be running afoul of the law when she designed panties with the phrase “Take the Crown” with a capital “KC” for Kansas City on the rear, reports the Kansas City Star, she just wanted to spread the hometown love.
She realized something was amiss when Homeland Security agents dropped by and confiscated a few dozen pairs of the underoos, which were printed by a local company.
“They came in and there were two guys,” she told the paper. “I asked one of them what size he needed and he showed me a badge and took me outside. They told me they were from Homeland Security and we were violating copyright laws.”
Though her design was hand-drawn, the connected “K” and “C” made it an infringement on Major League Baseball’s copyright, the agents reportedly said.
The panties were placed in official government bags and whisked from the premises.
“We just thought it was something funny we could do,” the owner said. “But it was so scary.”
The crackdown isn’t panty-specific, however, as officials are busy busting counterfeit World Series goods all around town, from fake tickets to T-shirts, cellphone cases and baby clothes.
“Our primary goal is to stop the sale or production of these items,” said a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Our agents are focused on protecting consumers. You don’t want somebody paying a lot of money for bogus tickets, and the quality of the merchandise often doesn’t meet federal standards.”
Panty raid: Homeland Security agents confiscate Birdies’ Royals underwear [Kansas City Star]
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist
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