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MASKED REPUBLIC SERVES CEASE AND DESIST LETTERS ON NEARLY A DOZEN WEBSITES
AND REGISTERS WITH EBAY AND AMAZON TO PREVENT ILLEGAL SALES OF LUCHA MASKS
Masked Republic sent cease and desist letters to a number of websites this
morning to prevent any further illegal sales in violation of copyrights held by
the luchadors whom they represent. Specifically stated in the cease and desist
were Blue Demon, Jr., LA PARK, and Rey Misterio, Sr.
"For too long now these luchadors have had their rights taken advantage of,"
said Masked Republic founder and CEO Ruben Zamora. "Masked Republic was formed
in part not only to allow lucha stars to capitalize on and monetize their own
popularity by way of officially licensed merchandise, but also to protect their
rights. The Masked Republic legal department's mission statement includes
enforcement of U.S. copyright laws and we intend to defend each of our star's
rights to the fullest."
Before even sending cease and desist letters, Zamora had conversations with
Highspots.com and WrestleWarehouse.com who both agreed to comply and, in doing
so, the sites, along with SuperLuchas.net, will be the first three sites able to
sell the officially licensed Masked Republic products starting in early 2010.
Masked Republic's own web store will open this Friday.
"I wanted to reach out to both Highspots and WrestleWarehouse becuase I have
seen both companies not only do good for the wrestling business, especially on
the independent level, but because I have respect for the manner in which they
generally practice business. I know that Michael, who owns Highspots, has
attempted over the years to work officially licensed deals with luchadors, but
with no success. That is part of the reason Masked Republic has come together
in the first place. It has been hard for luchadors to feel comfortable doing
business with American companies, not because of anything specific any of them
have done, but just because of the overall level of discomfort they have for
working with U.S. based companies. I, however, have been working with Mexican
talent for nearly a decade now, and am proud to have built up the trust which
many of them need to finally do business in the U.S."
"Without hesitation, both Highspots and WrestleWarehouse agreed to comply and I
am honored to announce that come next year, they will be the first two U.S.
based retail sites, aside from our own MaskedRepublic.com, to carry our
officially licensed products, the only officially licensed lucha products,
period."
While Masked Republic's cease and desist specifically named Blue Demon, Jr., LA
PARK, and Rey Misterio, Sr., due to those specific stars being the first to
have officially licensed Masked Republic merchandise available starting this
Friday, it also suggested that the sites look at the Masked Republic website for
a complete list of talent, as the company had every intention to enforce each of
their stars' copyrights. Among other Masked Republic represented talent are
Rayo De Jalisco, Juventud Guerrera, Delirious, Puma, and non-masked stars
including Konnan and Cassandro. Masked Republic also recently signed an
agreement with the Dragon Gate USA promotion to represent them for merchandising
and licensing.
http://www.MaskedRepublic.com
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