Good T206 Reprints

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

It's an argument I make a LOT. Most of what is being sold as reprints are actually counterfeits. CCC did reprints, Renata Galasso did reprints, someone with their home computer is making counterfeits, and even those who sell them "responsibly" like the seller in question at the beginning of this thread is counting on unscrupulous buyers who are buying with the intent to defraud somewhere down the line.

Scott,

You bring up a good point. Most of these so called reprints are actually counterfeits.

eBay has a written policy on replicas/fakes: Check the following link:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/...unterfeit.html

It states:

Counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags, or other accessories) or unauthorized copies (such as copies of software programs, video games, music albums, movies, television programs, or photographs) are not permitted on eBay. Unauthorized copies include (but are not limited to) copies that are pirated, duplicated, backed-up or bootlegged. It is illegal to sell unauthorized copies of media.

So, shouldn't these listings that are selling reprints (counterfeits) be pulled by eBay?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

They would be if the trademark and copyright holders would enforce their property. Try and sell a fake Tiffany bracelet or Coach handbag and see how long your listing remains up. I have actually approached Topps about this issue as I have a friend who works with them through another firm. Apparently they don't care about the issue which I feel is very short-sighted. Tiffany and Coach don't profit from secondary market sales either, but they still see the value in protecting their intellectual property. If enough buyers get ripped off and leave the hobby for good, it may well affect sales of packs of brand new cards! It's why I religiously report counterfeits masquerading as reprints, not because it directly hurts me, but if it's bad for the hobby, it's bad for me on some level.

[steve B]

That's fine for newer stuff, but T206s being pre 1923 are public domain now.
Each players estate might have some claim, but for most that's a lot of work for very little.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

still not legal to counterfeit something just because it's in the public domain. Can't go making a first edition Dracula copy and selling it as original just because it is in the public domain. You can reprint it though.

[steve B]

And that's all in the presentation. If it's called a reprint, and even better is marked, it's ok (Ish, I'm not a fan of reprints in general)
If it's held out as original, then yeah, that's not even close to legal.

A fantasy card is a weird one, something that never existed can't really be counterfeited. If it's presented as an original new discovery, then it's more fraud than anything else.