The United States authorities seized 18 domain names yesterday in a continuation of Operation In Our Sites. ICE, marking Valentines Day, took over domains which they claim were linked to the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods. Unlike previous actions, no file-sharing sites were seized.

Operation Broken Hearted, as this wave of seizures was called, targeted sites said to be offering counterfeit items from well known labels such as Breitling, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Omega, Patek Philipe, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany & Co. and Timberland.

"Even on Valentine's day, American business is under assault from counterfeiters and pirates," said ICE Director John Morton. "These counterfeits represent a triple threat by delivering shoddy, and sometimes dangerous, goods into commerce, by funding organized criminal activities and by denying Americans good-paying jobs. HSI and our partners at the IPR Center will continue to work together to keep counterfeit products off our streets."