Bootlegging
Bootlegging is a slang term to describe smuggling (see Bootleg). Most commonly the word refers specificaly to the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages on which federal or state excise taxes have not been paid. The term is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to making untaxed alcoholic products; yet, that is "moonshining", not bootlegging. Most bootleg liquor is not "home-made" by a moonshiner but, instead, bottled by professional distillers.
During Prohibition of the 1920s in the United States, much of the bootleg whiskey in the U.S. was brought in from Canada and much of the bootleg rum was imported from Mexico or Cuba, but today most bootleg alcohol in the U.S. is made domestically but sold "under the table" or "off the back of a truck" without the necessary permits and taxes.
The illegal sale of many consumer products other than alcohol is often termed Bootlegging as well. Goods such as compact discs, DVDs and other Intellectual Property are considered to be "bootleg" if they are replicated without permission of the copyright holder.
Prominent Bootleggers
- Al Capone (1920s Chicago USA)
- Jack Diamond (1920s New York City, USA)