Can you copy a picture with a real autograph on it and then resell the copy?
Isn't that forgery?
2007-06-25 22:01:01 · 5 answers · asked by Stone Cold 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I recently bought a Chris Benoit(WWE/ECW Wrestler who died Yesterday) signed pic that was listed under Autograph-Originals on Ebay, and after I rushed to buy it, I found out that it was a mere copy and not an original. And the sellers acting like a ***hole and rasing hell about me paying, and I really don't wanna give 15 dollars for something I could have printed out at my house for free.
Is that legal? A copy of an autograph listed under Autograph-Originals on Ebay?
2007-06-25 22:12:37 · update #1
I recently bought a Chris Benoit(WWE/ECW Wrestler who died Yesterday) signed pic that was listed under Autograph-Originals on Ebay, and after I rushed to buy it, I found out that it was a mere copy and not an original. And the sellers acting like a ***hole and rasing hell about me paying, and I really don't wanna give 15 dollars for something I could have printed out at my house for free.
Is that legal? A copy of an autograph listed under Autograph-Originals on Ebay?
2007-06-25 22:12:39 · update #2
Provided the buyer is clear that he/she is not buying a copy and there is no intent to deceive, then generally yes. The actual answer is somewhat more complex. For example if the picture is somehow copyrighted or the intellectual property of the celeb, then you might have a problem. While you can resell a book you purchased, you can't go out and make copies of the book to sell.
It really boils down to scope of how many you are planning to sell and how openly. It's late though...
2007-06-25 22:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your idea is far from new. Even back in the early days of Ebay, people would do high quality computer prints of autographs, often even trying to pass them off as originals. And sometimes people just do the photos with questionable "autographs" on them they've probably made themselves. Anyway, it's highly likely whatever image you have is indeed copyrighted, so making copies of it and selling them would indeed run you into trouble regardless of the autograph. The ones given away at things like conventions are usually bulk printed by celebrities themselves (or to people who have legally licensed permission to do so), which is why they're not an issue. They don't have to put things like watermarks or copyright symbols on images to preserve protections. You might want to spend some time seeing what you'd be up against on Ebay these days, and what their limitations are. But even if they allow you to sell as you'd describe, you likely wouldn't get much if anything beyond what the paper, ink, and postage are costing you. And you still never know when a copyright holder is going to come down on your particular image. The main thing you'd be able to do legally is sell the originals. Your kids need to get dollar signs out of their eyes thinking your home printer is now minting money for you.
2016-04-01 04:56:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you represent that it is a copy. Failing to mention that is the same as a defacto misrepresentation!
Who would want to buy a copy of an autograph? I guess people will buy anything!
And it could be illegal as well! Just like selling knock-offs of DVDs!
However, many places, including sports teams, who own the rights, sell all kind of merchandise that is nothing more than a copy!
I would say that is a misrepesentation and EBay should be told. If they put it in as an original and you know it is a copy, they damn well know it!
2007-06-25 22:11:30 · answer #3 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not forgery if you dont represent it as an original autograph.
2007-06-25 22:05:55 · answer #4 · answered by JOHN D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you just answered you're question. its forgery i think.
2007-06-25 22:10:01 · answer #5 · answered by victim019 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋