Konami prende il controllo del TCG di Yu-Gi-Oh

El Segundo, CA - (Dec. 11, 2008) - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today announced that the company is taking over all operational and business aspects of the worldwide phenomenon, Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™, effective immediately. KDE will take over distribution and customer support for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™ from Upper Deck Entertainment (Carlsbad), KDE's former exclusive distributor of the trading card game. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME first took the Asian market by storm in 1996 and became a global sensation in 2002 as it reached the shores of North America, quickly followed by Europe and other territories. Today, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME continues to reach new milestones as the game evolves.

“Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is very pleased that the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME continues to be the number one TCG in the world. We are fully committed to maintaining a very high level of game support, from sales to organized play, and to providing a seamless transition during this process,” commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We look forward to having distribution of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME within our corporate umbrella as it allows us to take advantage of the synergies from our existing gaming platforms to ensure continued great products for the Duelists and for our retail and distribution partners.”

December 15, 2008

Open Letter to Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelists

Dear Duelists,

This is truly a thrilling time for the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. With the recent news regarding our decision to bring the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG in‐house to Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., many of you are anxious to find out what is next for the brand. We are extremely excited to be the one who will now market and distribute the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG as Konami has always been the worldwide creative and manufacturing force behind the brand. The intention of this letter is to let you know where we are headed next.

With the state of the economy today, this is a time of great change within the gaming industry and in the world. By handling all aspects involved with the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, Konami expects to provide the highest level of customer and retail support. We also look forward to taking advantage of the existing synergies between our well‐developed gaming platforms to introduce exciting new Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG products and tournament opportunities. Duelists, organized play, and the property mean a tremendous amount to us. We are committed to the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG, after all, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand!

So where do we go next? We are currently evaluating all aspects of the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME – Organized Play (OP), SHONEN JUMP Championships, Sneak Previews, hobby store participation, and player rankings, to name but a few. As you can imagine, there are a lot of critical decisions to be made quickly as we look to the future. We are currently in a transitional period. Once complete, we will announce a series of new organized play events for the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG. Meanwhile, Konami encourages all of you to join forces and keep Dueling to maintain the spirit and friendship within the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TCG community.

Konami is enthusiastically counting down the days until the new OP and other Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME‐related activities resume in the New Year.

Everyone at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of you in the gaming community who have actively and passionately supported the Yu‐Gi‐Oh! TRADING CARD GAME over the years and we look forward to your ongoing involvement.

Sincerely,

Yumi Hoashi
Vice President, Card Business
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

Upper Deck Panoceanic C.V. e Upper Deck International B.V. (qui di seguito definite “Upper Deck”) desiderano divulgare la seguente lettera aperta.


Recentemente alcuni mezzi di comunicazione hanno pubblicato la notizia che Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. e/o Konami Marketing Inc. e/o Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. e/o le aziende a esse affiliate in tutto il mondo (qui di seguito definite “Konami”) sta/stanno prendendo il controllo di tutti gli aspetti riguardanti le operazioni e il business di Yu-Gi-Oh!TM GIOCO DI CARTE COLLEZIONABILI con effetto immediato, basandosi su una presunta conclusione degli accordi di distribuzione con Upper Deck. Secondo queste notizie, Konami prenderà il controllo anche della distribuzione e del servizio clienti di Yu-Gi-Oh!TM GIOCO DI CARTE COLLEZIONABILI.


Upper Deck desidera porre in rilievo con grandissima enfasi che le notizie sopracitate sono false e non esiste supporto legale o qualsivoglia giustificazione per questa conclusione contrattuale da parte di Konami, rendendo perciò questa conclusione contrattuale illecita. Per quanto riguarda il business di Yu-Gi-Oh!TM GIOCO DI CARTE COLLEZIONABILI Upper Deck rimane il solo distributore esclusivista per il territorio europeo e continuerà a fornire i prodotti di Yu-Gi-Oh!TM GIOCO DI CARTE COLLEZIONABILI a tutti i clienti con i quali ha stipulato accordi contrattuali. Upper Deck ha già inviato una lettera di diffida a Konami nella quale si esige che Konami cessi la diffusione di queste informazioni fuorvianti e illegittime, e di rettificarle immediatamente di conseguenza. Se Konami non dovesse conformarsi volontariamente a questa diffida, Upper Deck adirà tutte le vie legali necessarie, di conseguenza.


Sulla base di quanto precedentemente riportato, Upper Deck continuerà a condurre regolarmente il suo business con tutte le sue controparti.


Cordiali saluti,

Per conto di Upper Deck

Eric Burzle
Presidente
Upper Deck Panoceanic C.V.

Nico Blauw
CEO
Upper Deck International B.V.

December 24th, 2008 - Netherlands - The Dutch Court has decided in favour of Upper Deck Panoceanic CV and Upper Deck International BV.
The termination of the contract between Konami and Upper Deck is unfounded and has been overruled by the Dutch Court. As of immediately, Konami needs to put all in place to respect all aspects of the contract. This means that with immediate effect, Upper Deck International BV has been and will be the exclusive distributor of The YuGiOh Trading Card Game moving forward for all European territories.

Mr Nico Blauw, CEO of Upper Deck International BV is pleased with the outcome of the Court: 'In these hectic economic times, this is a great Christmas present for both our customers, our employees and the player base'.

Bruno Van Speybroeck
Chief Operating Officer
Upper Deck International BV

Yu-Gi-Oh! Champion Packs Orders Go Unfilled Press Release January 13, 2009

Yu-Gi-Oh! Champion Packs Orders Go Unfilled
Konami Fails to Release Product

North Las Vegas, NV (January 13, 2009) — Upper Deck regrets to announce that hobby tournament stores nationwide will not receive their orders of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Champion Packs. Despite contractual obligations, Konami Digital Entertainment failed to send the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Champion Packs to Upper Deck for distribution to hobby stores.

Keeping the best interests of Yu-Gi-Oh! players and retailers in mind, Upper Deck has maintained business as usual during this uncertain time, fulfilling orders and shipping product to retailers so that Duelists can continue to enjoy the game. Unfortunately, Konami Digital has not released the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Champion Packs to Upper Deck, despite having received the order on time several months ago, rendering Upper Deck unable to fill orders from hobby stores.

Upper Deck regrets that the Yu-Gi-Oh! community is being denied this product, but encourages players to continue to support their local hobby store. Please stay tuned to UDE.com for information about upcoming events.

01/14/2009 12:13pm
Konami Digital Entertainment has responded to Upper Deck’s announcement on the lack of availability of Yu Gi Oh! Champion Packs (see “No Yu Gi Oh! Champion Packs”) by stating that it has terminated Upper Deck’s distribution agreement and that it (Konami) is the only authorized distributor for the Yu Gi Oh! TCG. “Despite what was recently announced by The Upper Deck Company (UDC), the distribution agreement between Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) and UDC for North America has been terminated,” a statement by Konami VP Card Business Yumi Hoashi said. “KDE is the exclusive worldwide licensee for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. We have always been and continue to be the sole manufacturer and are the only authorized distributor in North America.”


Konami terminated its distribution agreement with Upper Deck in December and Upper Deck filed suit (see “Konami Takes Over YGO TCG”). Konami was unsuccessful in its efforts to get an injunction to force Upper Deck to stop selling the Yu Gi Oh TCG (see “Upper Deck Gets Favorable U.S. Ruling”).

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Crimson Crisis Sneak Preview Canceled
Konami Fails to Deliver Product and Promo Cards

North Las Vegas, NV (January 16, 2009) — Upper Deck regrets to announce that the Yu-Gi-Oh! community will be denied yet another product, as Konami Digital Entertainment has failed to deliver Crimson Crisis to Upper Deck, despite contractual obligations. Crimson Crisis was scheduled to debut at Sneak Preview events throughout North America on February 7 – 8, 2009.

Upper Deck continues to focus on the best interests of Duelists, and recently announced Upper Deck Day, a multi-brand event that will be hosted at former Sneak Preview locations on the same weekend. Upper Deck Day will offer high-level Dueling, ensuring that players do not have to miss out on the game they love. The special “Duelist Challenge” event will feature amazing prizes, including a Gold Sarcophagus to the winner at each location! Visit UDE.com to find an event near you!

In addition to a fantastic Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG event, Upper Deck Day will feature the premiere of the Huntik: Seekers & Secrets Trading Card Game with a free sneak preview tournament. World of Warcraft fans are also invited to participate in free World of Warcraft TCG beginners tournaments.

Upper Deck regrets that the Yu-Gi-Oh! community is being denied Crimson Crisis Sneak Previews, but feels strongly that Upper Deck Day will give Duelists an exciting gaming experience. Please visit UDE.com for more information about Upper Deck Day.

North Las Vegas, NV (January 14, 2009) — Upper Deck announced today a special Organized Play event that will offer a tournament for every gamer! From anime to MMOs, no matter what you’re into, Upper Deck Day has the tournament for you! Upper Deck Day will take place at locations throughout North America on February 7 – 8, 2009 and will feature great events for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, the Huntik: Secrets & Seekers Trading Card Game and the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. Stay tuned to UDE.com to find a location near you!

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME “Duelist Challenge” will feature high caliber dueling and the most prizes ever offered at a Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG event! The top three finishers at each location will receive a highly valuable prize card, and the winner will take home a Gold Sarcophagus! Plus, all top finishers will walk away with an entire box of product! Additional prizes include rare Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG play mats, t-shirts and other promos. Duelists also have a chance to receive promo cards and other great prizes throughout the weekend.

Prizes
1st Place: Gold Sarcophagus, 2 boxes of recent product
2nd Place: Shrink, 2 boxes of recent product
3rd Place: Des Volstgalph, 2 boxes of recent product
4th Place: Nationals 2007 Cyber Dragon playmat, 2 boxes of recent product
5-8 place: 2 boxes of recent product
9-16 place: 1 box of recent product

"YU-GI-OH! ORGANIZED PLAY CANCELED IN NORTH AMERICA

Konami’s Action Detrimental to Yu-Gi-Oh! Community

North Las Vegas, NV (February 17, 2009) – Due to circumstances beyond its control, Upper Deck regrets to announce that all future Organized Play programs and events in North America for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME have been canceled. The unavailability of product and prizes affects all upcoming North American Yu-Gi-Oh! OP programs and events, including Shonen Jump Championships, Regional Qualifiers, the National Championship and the monthly Hobby League program

For months, Upper Deck has continued in good faith to support Yu-Gi-Oh! OP, so as not to abandon the player and retailer community of which it has been an integral part for six years. Upper Deck remains committed to the Yu-Gi-Oh! community and will continue to fight Konami’s actions in court. Upper Deck hopes to once again be able to offer Duelists the high caliber events to which they have become accustomed."

February 27, 2009
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Unleashes Champion Pack 8 on Duelists Everywhere

Champion Pack 8 will be Available at KDE’s Official Tournament Stores from March 20th

EL SEGUNDO, CA. – (February 27, 2009) – Continuing in its efforts to deliver the best gaming experience to the Dueling community and hobby stores, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today is pleased to announce the launch of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Champion Pack 8 from March 20th, 2009. Champion Pack 8 is being provided to hobby stores for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG prize support, and features tournament-tested cards, previously hard-to-earn promotional cards and a never-before-seen card to round out the set.

“Official KDE tournament stores allow Duelists to perfect their skills, build decks and get Champion Pack 8. The latest Champion Pack includes the new Ultra Rare ‘Gravity Behemoth,’ a 2300 ATK Beast-Type Effect Monster that has the power to destroy Field Spell Cards at will,” commented Yumi Hoashi, Vice President of Card Business for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We have also brought back ‘Prohibition,’ a Super Rare card not seen since it was included in Pharaoh’s Servant in 2002. Champion Pack 8 also includes ‘Magician's Valkyria,’ a card only released in Shonen Jump magazine.”

The four Super Rare foil cards include ‘Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner,’ bringing Lightsworn players one step closer to having an all-foil deck. Duelists can converge on their local hobby stores from March 20th, 2009 to find the only place to get Champion Packs! KDE is also currently developing its own ranking system which will be called COSSY [Konami Card Game Official Tournament Support System] and will launch in April. “We are working on a plan that will link up Konami's COSSY rankings worldwide,” added KDE’s Hoashi.

Hobby stores interested in hosting Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME events or tournaments should contact KDE customer support at 310-220-8630 or [email protected].

Champion Pack 8 Breakdown:
Three cards per pack
Nine Common Cards (2:1)
Six Rare Cards (1:1)
Four Super Rare Cards (1:12)
One Ultra Rare Card (1:48)

El Segundo, CA – (April 10, 2009) – A new day is dawning in competitive Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) play.* Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) is unveiling today their plans to bring back the SHONEN JUMP Championships, the largest and most prestigious Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament series in North America.* Adding a level of mystery to the event, a new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s SHONEN JUMP Championship prize card will be revealed for the first time.
*
KDE’s SHONEN JUMP Championship series will begin April 25-26 in the “Big A” (Anaheim, CA) at the Anaheim Convention Center.* Each registrant will receive their KDE “official” identification card at the event.* The registration fee is $20, and each player will receive five booster packs just for participating.
*
“Duelists have patiently waited for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. to outline our plans for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME SHONEN JUMP Championships and now we are,” said Yumi Hoashi, Vice President of Card Business for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “The SHONEN JUMP Championships, by their very nature, are created to be enjoyed by as many players as possible and are some of the most celebrated events we hold each year.* Those who cannot make this SHONEN JUMP Championship can follow round-by-round coverage online at www.yugioh-card.com/en/events.”
*
SHONEN JUMP Championship Anaheim details:* The Anaheim Convention Center doors will open promptly at 8:00 a.m. for registration with Round One beginning at 10:00 a.m.* The top 16 finalists for the SHONEN JUMP Championship along with the top 32 Duelists of the Sunday Regional will qualify to participate in the 2009 U.S. National Championship, which will be held later in the year.
*
Great family fun:* The SHONEN JUMP Championship in Anaheim offers exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG side events for moms, dads and brothers and sisters not in the main tournament.* The side events for both Saturday and Sunday include Win-a-Mat events, a Team Dueling competition, and special events for Duelists under 13.* There will also be a Regional Qualifier on Sunday.
*
SHONEN JUMP Championship prizes: Prizes include brand new Top 16 SJC game mats, Nintendo* DSi™ units with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, Wii™ units and******* Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Wheelie Breakers, a 32 GB iPod Touch installed with Konami Mobile Games, a paid trip to the U.S. National Championships, and a complimentary subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine for the Top 16.
*
New Duelist Rankings:* KDE has developed their own proprietary ranking system, called COSSY [Konami Card Game Official Tournament Support System], which will be used at the first SHONEN JUMP Championship in Anaheim.* “By using COSSY in the first event it allows all players to start advancing up the rankings at the same time.* New Duelists have just as much chance to rise in the rankings as veterans.* This is the ranking system that is currently used in Japan,” added KDE’s Hoashi.
*
For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. Prevails in Appeal Proceedings against Upper Deck International

Court of Appeal Rejects Upper Deck International's Claims Relating to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™

El Segundo, CA (April 15, 2009) – The Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (KDE) in appeal proceedings against Upper Deck International (UDI). UDI had requested a preliminary injunction to compel KDE to accept UDI as its exclusive distributor for Europe, Oceania and Latin America. On April 7, 2009, the Court of Appeal rejected all of UDI's claims. Having reviewed the evidence presented in summary proceedings, a panel of three professional appeal judges issued a decision holding that UDI had failed to show that the 12 December 2008 termination of the distribution relationship regarding the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™ (TCG) in Europe and Latin America, had been unlawful. The decision confirms that there is significant evidence that links the Upper Deck Company to the distribution of counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America. In this respect, the Court of Appeal's decision echoes an earlier ruling by the District Court for the Central District of California, United States.

“This is a terrific victory for the legions of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Duelists worldwide,” noted Kunio Neo, President of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. “Managing all aspects of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG business directly not just in Asia and North America, but globally, will allow Konami Digital Entertainment to strengthen and protect the integrity of the brand throughout the world.”

Distributors, retailers or hobby stores interested in setting up accounts for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in Europe and Oceania, or conducting events or tournaments should contact KDE’s European office at [email protected]. For Latin American inquiries, please contact KDE’s US office at +1-310-220-8630 or [email protected].



About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 18 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG.

About KONAMI CORPORATION
KONAMI CORPORATION was established in 1973, and became a holding company on March 31, 2006. KONAMI CORPORATION covers the fields of "Digital Entertainment Business", "Health & Fitness Business" and "Gaming & System Business". KONAMI CORPORATION went public on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, the Singapore Stock Exchange in 1997, the London Stock Exchange in 1999, and the New York Stock Exchange in 2002. Home Page URL: www.konami.co.jp. Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary, responsible for popular franchises like Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill® and Pro Evolution Soccer™ amongst other top sellers. For more information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH and its products, please visit www.konami-europe.com/games.

Media Contact:
Don Williams
Williams Group Public Relations
(760) 707-4589
[email protected]

28/05/2009

Annuncio per gli organizzatori dei tornei di Yu-Gi-Oh!

Cari Organizzatori Ufficiali,
con la presente siamo lieti di aggiornarvi in merito all’evento legato al rilascio di Battaglia Furiosa.

A causa di ritardi avuti nella fase di produzione, purtroppo gli Sneak Preview di Battaglia Furiosa, non hanno potuto aver luogo come previsto. Volevamo comunque darvi la possibilità di rispondere alle aspettative dei vostri giocatori abituali , certamente ansiosi di avere una presentazione della nuova espansione di Yu-Gi-Oh! Gioco di Carte Collezionabili.

Siamo quindi lieti di invitarvi ad organizzare nei vostri punti vendita la Release Celebration di Battaglia Furiosa, ovvero la Celebrazione di Rilascio, evento per il quale saremo in grado di fornirvi, fino ad esaurimento scorte, i seguenti materiali di supporto:

- 1 tappetino (playmat) personalizzato Battaglia Furiosa
- 4 Foldable Deck Boxes personalizzati Battaglia Furiosa
- 1 carta promozionale “Battlestorm” da distribuire ad ogni partecipante

Il prezzo massimo di iscrizione applicabile per l’evento è fissato in € 20,00 per partecipante, prezzo che darà diritto a ricevere nr. 5 Buste di Battaglia Furiosa e 1 carta promozionale “Battlestorm”.

Il formato di questi tornei sarà “Open Dueling” per lo svolgimento dei quali non sarà necessario alcun software di supporto. All’inizio dell’evento sarà vostro compito informare i giocatori sulle modalità di svolgimento del torneo. Quando i giocatori avranno terminato la costruzione del Deck potranno giocare contro gli altri partecipanti. Alla fine dichiarerete i vincitori e distribuirete i premi.

Halifax, una divisione di Digital Bros s.p.a., nella sua qualità di gestore del Gioco Organizzato, è stata incaricata da Konami quale organizzatore nazionale di questo evento per il territorio italiano.

Per richiedere l’organizzazione della Release Celebration di Battaglia Furiosa sarà necessario contattare Halifax al seguente indirizzo mail dedicato: [email protected] entro e non oltre il 5 Giugno 2009 indicando la località, la data e l’orario di svolgimento dell’evento, oltre al numero atteso di partecipanti (16 o 32 o 48).

Halifax vi informerà sulla disponibilità del materiale e, se necessario, della sua allocazione rispetto alla vostra richiesta; non appena possibile provvederà inoltre all’invio del materiale disponibile accompagnato da ulteriori e dettagliate informazioni.
Tramite l’indirizzo mail dedicato: [email protected] potrete inviare il report del torneo, mentre sarà cura di Halifax recuperare le carte promozionali non assegnate ai giocatori durante l’evento. Attenzione: le carte promozionali devono essere distribuite ai soli partecipanti e non possono essere assolutamente vendute,anche dopo la fine della manifestazione.

Ci auguriamo, in questo modo, di avervi messo in condizione di celebrare al meglio la pubblicazione di Battaglia Furiosa, insiemeai vostri giocatori e clienti.

Sarà nostra premura tenervi aggiornati a breve su ogni altro aspetto legato al Gioco Organizzato di YuGiOh!.

Per domande o richieste riguardanti le attività di gioco organizzato, contattateci al nostro indirizzo email: [email protected]

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC PREVAILS IN LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UPPER DECK COMPANY – TRIAL TO DETERMINE DAMAGES TO START IN LATE JANUARY

El Segundo, CA – (January 13, 2010) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) won a significant victory in its lawsuit against The Upper Deck Company, its one-time distributor of the immensely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG). United States District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank ruled that The Upper Deck Company counterfeited hundreds of thousands of cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and is liable to KDE for those activities.

“We were confident the court would rule in our favor as our cause was just,” commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “This ruling shows Duelists, distributors and our hobby and retail partners the great lengths we will go to protect the integrity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and the products that are on store shelves.”

The Upper Deck Company admitted in depositions to printing and importing to the U.S., approximately 611,000 unauthentic Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards, which violated trademark, copyright and unfair competition laws. The bogus Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards were printed in China during 2007 and imported to the U.S. without KDE’s knowledge or authorization.

Discovery in the lawsuit revealed that employees of the Upper Deck Company, including its Chairman, Richard McWilliam, participated in a 2008 meeting in Mr. McWilliam’s office, where they discussed that the cards made without authorization by Upper Deck did not look authentic enough, and where Upper Deck’s chairman then shredded samples of the counterfeit cards.

Additionally, the court threw out Upper Deck’s countersuit accusing KDE of breaching the parties’ distribution agreement and slandering Upper Deck, ruling that there was no real evidence to support Upper Deck’s claims. Trial on Konami’s claims for damages is set to begin on January 26, 2010, where a jury will consider whether damages are to be awarded to Konami based on the counterfeiting activities, and if so, in what amount.

“Konami is a good company and it was victimized here,” noted Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.’s lawyer Benjamin J. Fox, a partner at Morrison & Foerster. “The court’s orders recognize that. We are very pleased with the decisions so far in this case.”

KDE announced in mid-December 2008 that it would assume responsibility for the distribution of its Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME in territories outside of Asia. As the Court’s recent ruling confirms, KDE’s decision was due to The Upper Deck Company’s involvement in printing unauthentic Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. or the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

felicissimo siiiiiiiiii,peccato x lo sneak ma almeno le carte kosteranno 0,50 l'una

Non esaltatevi troppo era così pure prima dell'uscita del mazzo di caius e poi tutti incavolati neri
Cmq il prezzo NON diminuirà e se accadrà sarà al max di 1€ chiaro? -.-
Sembra che siate dei bambini

Non esaltatevi troppo era così pure prima dell'uscita del mazzo di caius e poi tutti incavolati neri
Cmq il prezzo NON diminuirà e se accadrà sarà al max di 1€ chiaro? -.-
Sembra che siate dei bambini