Bandai Entertainment has announced the filing of lawsuits against several retailers, charging them with engaging in the duplication, importation, distribution, and/or sale of unauthorized merchandise infringing on copyrighted and trademarked properties at this year's Anime Expo. 

Defendants named in Bandai's complaint include: Otaku Entertainment, Inc. EJ International, Inc., Anime Combo, MTWC Group, Inc, and John Lo, Inc. 

Ken Iyadomi, Bandai Entertainment's Executive VP explained the company's action: 'The time has come to take a stand against the flood of cheap knock-offs and blatant bootlegs.  The vendors who sell pirated merchandise, CDs, and DVDs are causing huge economic losses for legitimate businesses and must be stopped.'  Bandai is urging consumers and retailers to contact Bandai Entertainment to report dealers and distributors suspected of selling counterfeit DVDs and merchandise.

Bandai's actions are in line with what is happening in Japan where the Mainichi Shinbun reports that 38 Japanese entertainment companies have agreed to use a new 'Made in Japan' trademark to help counteract piracy of anime titles, video games, and licensed merchandise.