ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Five people have been charged with trademark counterfeiting in a distribution ring selling thousands of imitation LiveStrong wristbands.

According to state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, these are the first criminal prosecutions in New York’s ongoing enforcement against stores offering imitations of the authentic trademarked wristbands that sell for $1 each and help fund the Lance Armstrong Foundation based in Austin, Texas.

The foundation provides services to cancer patients and was started by cyclist Lance Armstrong who recovered from cancer and is the only six-time winner of the grueling Tour de France.

The five could face one to three years in prison if convicted of the felony. They are Manhattan resident Sui Ping Qu, 48, owner of Mettime; and Queens residents Ding Chai Yi, 42; Xi Chen, 33; Li Ping Liang Chen, 46; and Wei Hua Chen 50, Spitzer’s office said. They were arraigned Thursday.

Undercover investigators bought 1,000 counterfeit wristbands in March from a Manhattan storefront operated by Mettime Group Inc., authorities said.

Using search warrants, investigators said they found 81,000 more there and at a home in Queens, and said importer Eastlink Interntional Inc. distributed the wristbands to Mettime and other retailers around New York City.

Reached by phone Friday, Qu declined to comment.

Copy the Story Link