On November 3, 2011, a United States Federal Judge in Springfield, Missouri, entered final judgment for Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. against Defendant Daniel Bakker in the amount of $500,000 with a Permanent Injunction. In January 2011, Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. sued Bakker for orchestrating the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit Hard Rock Cafe pins. Hard Rock Cafe's investigation revealed that Bakker was assisted by two Taiwanese citizens. Hard Rock Cafe also pursued the foreign accomplices, who were sentenced to prison in Taiwan for their criminal counterfeiting activities.  As a result of a seizure conducted at multiple locations by the United States Marshal's Office and Hard Rock Café's outside counsel, Baker & McKenzie LLP, thousands of counterfeit Hard Rock Cafe pins were seized before they could be sold to unsuspecting pin collectors.

Gian Bonfanti, Senior Director of Buying at Hard Rock Cafe, stated "Hard Rock Cafe is very pleased with the results of its federal court action against Daniel Bakker. Hard Rock Cafe will continue to monitor and aggressively pursue individuals who are involved in counterfeiting Hard Rock Cafe merchandise or trading off of Hard Rock Cafe's forty-year reputation."

For additional information, please contact John Gogarty/Amanda Early 973-588-2000.