THE UPPER DECK COMPANY TO FIGHT COUNTERFEITERS TO ENSURE AUTHENTICITY OF PRODUCTS FOR CONSUMERS

Lawsuit To Seek Damages Against Retailers and Others Who Sell Counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game

CARLSBAD, CA (September 30, 2003) - The Upper Deck Company, LLC, a premier sports and entertainment publishing company, today announced that it has taken the first of several steps to protect its customers and partners from illegal counterfeiters by filing a lawsuit against approximately fifty individuals and companies across the United States which include Fry's Electronics, Inc., Boingofans Auctions, Gulf Atlantic Vending, Creative Vending, Great Wall Company, Double Lucky Corp, Jays Anime, LLC and many others for marketing and distributing counterfeit starter decks, booster packs and individual cards that illegally copy the enormously popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.  The lawsuit includes defendants from New York, Miami, Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle among others.  The lawsuit seeks an injunction as well as damages, including compensatory and punitive damages, against all defendants.

Yu-Gi-Oh!, created by Kazuki Takahashi, is featured in the weekly Japanese magazine "Shonen Jump" (published by Shueisha) and is also featured in the monthly publication "Shonen Jump" in the United States.  KONAMI CORPORATION is the merchandiser and manufacturer of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. 

The lawsuit represents the first step in what will be an aggressive and unyielding offensive by Upper Deck against companies and individuals in any location, whether domestically or abroad, that advertise, manufacture, or sell counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAMES.  In addition, Upper Deck - the exclusive North American distributor - plans to name a significant number of additional companies and individuals as defendants to the lawsuit in the coming days.  Upper Deck also plans on taking whatever additional actions are necessary, including pursuing legal action across many countries, to ensure that the counterfeit product is removed from all markets and the offending parties are sanctioned accordingly.

"Today's lawsuit will ensure that Upper Deck's retail partners and consumers alike are purchasing authentic Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARDS no matter where the products are purchased," said Craig Nicholas, partner with the law firm of Wright and L'Estrange.  "In addition, this lawsuit protects the integrity of the products which bear the Upper Deck name and hologram."

About The Upper Deck Company

The Upper Deck Company, LLC is a premier sports and entertainment publishing company which delivers a portfolio of relevant, innovative and multi-dimensional product experiences to collectors, sports and entertainment enthusiasts.  Founded in 1988, The Upper Deck Company, LLC is located in Carlsbad, California.  For more information on The Upper Deck Company and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.