THE UPPER DECK COMPANY FILES GLOBAL LAWSUITS AGAINST

COUNTERFEITERS OF Yu-Gi-Oh TRADING CARD GAME

Company To Offer Reward For information On Counterfeiters

CARLSBAD, CA (February 12, 2004) - The Upper Deck Company, LLC, a premier sports and entertainment publishing company, with the exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, today announced that it will continue to take steps globally to protect its customers and partners from individuals and companies who look to profit from illegally counterfeiting, marketing, and distributing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. 

Upper Deck continues to work with police, customs officials and private investigators across the globe to identify those who manufacture, sell, or otherwise engage in the trafficking of counterfeit products.   In Latin America, Upper Deck has filed lawsuits against several retail stores and numerous companies and individuals in Mexico City and is targeting others in Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, and Columbia.  Police in Italy have joined forces with Upper Deck to conduct seizures around the country including at a recent trade show in Lucca, Italy.  As a result, twenty-six people have been charged with criminal acts in Italy. 

Upper Deck will specifically target those who counterfeit starter decks, booster packs and individual cards of the enormously popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.  The lawsuits will seek injunctions as well as damages, including compensatory and punitive damages, against all defendants.  In addition, the Upper Deck Company is offering a reward of up to $100,000, for information and services leading to the arrest and conviction of any person receiving, selling, possessing or involved in the material manufacturing of or conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card product.  

These lawsuits represents the first global step in what will be an aggressive and unyielding offensive by Upper Deck against companies and individuals in any location, that advertise, manufacture, or sell counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.  Upper Deck will pursue all available civil and criminal channels until all counterfeit products are removed from all markets and the offending parties are sanctioned accordingly.

*** The amount of the reward and the material aspect of the offense to be determined solely by Upper Deck and will be based on the significance of the services rendered, the character of the offender, the risks and hazards involved, the time spent and expenses incurred in developing the information and bringing it forward.  Only one reward will be allowed per offense.  Upper Deck reserves the right to reject a claim for reward where there has been collusion, criminal involvement or improper methods to secure the information. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.  For more information visit Upper Deck's website at www.upperdeck.com

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