Merchandising

The NBA is working to raise awareness among fans that counterfeiters are also drawn to the star-studded NBA All-Star weekend festivities and to make sure fans take precautions to avoid being stuck with unlicensed NBA merchandise.

Crocs is looking to branch out beyond footwear, entering licensing deals with several companies on everything from clothing to sunglasses.

An Obama fundraising event in New York called "Designers for Obama" will include designers selling Obama-themed bags, purses and satchels to raise cash. Brody Mullins has details.

Not that long ago, counterfeiters focused almost exclusively on upscale brands like Prada and Gucci. But five years of a weak economy has knockoff artists churning out goods for people with more modest tastes and budgets.

During her first ever appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Tuesday night, the First Lady stepped out in a shimmering gold sweater teamed with the same chic J.Crew pencil skirt she wore two-and-a-half years ago in London. While J.Crew has been a closet staple for the 48-year-old since her husband President Barack Obama took office in 2008, she has no problem pulling off high fashion labels.

The National Football League has launched a preemptive strike against vendors of unlicensed Super Bowl merchandise by receiving permission to seize the property. Marion Superior Court has granted temporary restraining and seizure orders to the NFL, along with the New England Patriots and New York Giants, after they requested injunctions on Jan. 25.

ShopNBC announced that Macy's home products will premiere on the network beginning Sat., Feb. 11. A select assortment of Macy's exclusive private brands will, for the first time, be offered to a television viewing audience through this initiative.

PBS, America's chronically broke public television network, was trying to make a few bucks off of its hit series "Downton Abbey" with themed jewelry. The show's creators are none too happy about it and it looks as though PBS decided to pull the line from the site entirely, meaning no more cash from Downton product for PBS. 

A Mickey Mouse T-shirt on sale at the Disney Store has started an uproar in the music community. The Disney Store has since pulled the shirt described as, "Inspired by the iconic sleeve of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album, this Waves Mickey Mouse Tee incorporates Mickey's image within the graphic of the pulse of a star."

The Olympic motto is "Faster, Higher, Stronger," but perhaps the word "cheaper" should be added. Toy versions of the Olympic mascots are being made at a factory now being investigated for "poor pay and conditions."