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What exactly is this eBay seller doing? Is this considered counterfeiting?

I suggest you review the items for sale by an eBay seller named: presidentialcollectibles

It appears that this seller is using a new 2012 autopen machine and is counterfeiting, ( if that is the correct term?), celebrity autographs. The seller's description states that, "These signatures cannot be found anywhere else", so it is unclear if anyone else is also currently using this autopen device. Thus far, one can purchase a Neil Armstrong, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Lee, Babe Ruth, or Elvis Presley autopenned ink signature, and according to the seller "provides high quality signature which is an exact replica of the original".

For obvious reasons, I find this 'new autopen machine' quite troubling. Aside from the potential influx of confounding new autotypes, does creating these autotypes represent an issue in intellectual property law? I am not a lawyer, but..................

Should the profits of sales of the 'new autopenned' signatures belong to the estate of the signators?

Examples:

Tags: al capone, autopen, babe ruth, counterfeit, elvis presley, forgeries, machine-signed, marilyn monroe, mike tyson, neil armstrong, More…obama

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Comment by Richard S. Simon on September 16, 2012 at 4:09pm: The guy was a presidential collectible seller then remained totally inactive on ebay for three years.

Then he pops up with an autopen machine???

Huh??

Really strange is an understatement Mike.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on September 16, 2012 at 4:38pm: I was referring to one of his buyers Richard. Sorry for the confusion. Assuming that the intention is to resell the items I just don’t get it. None of the buyers display any indication that they will resell the items based on their recent history on eBay.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 16, 2012 at 6:13pm: I'm posting the images I have of these machine-signed autographs in Dr. Saffro's blog, not in comments.

Are they still posted on eBay? I couldn't find them a couple hours ago.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 16, 2012 at 6:21pm: On Babe Ruth, notice that the T is crossed from right to left. This was pointed out to me by Garry King from Autographica in the UK, who told me about these last week.

Comment by presidentialcollectibles on September 16, 2012 at 7:27pm: I'm presidentialcollectibles... The items that I was selling on ebay are produced in Asia with an Asian signing machine. There is a factory in China using a new signing machine made in 2012. You can send them your pens, ink and items. They will sign them for you. I am not doing anything to defraud anyone. I clearly post that the items are replica signatures. Our intent was never to hurt your hobby. I will make a commitment to clearly mark the back of any item we sell as REPLICA.

Comment by Richard S. Simon on September 16, 2012 at 8:05pm: To Pres Coll - if the item is in a frame how will a prospective new buyer know that it is a replica?

Comment by Richard S. Simon on September 16, 2012 at 8:07pm: I meant that someone can buy one of these from you, put it in a frame, and then pawn it off as authentic.

I guarantee you that will happen.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on September 16, 2012 at 8:07pm: Neil Armstrong would not quote himself. Only one hand signed example of his "one small step" quote exists, which he signed on the original Apollo 11 flight plan. These replicas are a copy of the quote and signature from that flight plan.

Comment by presidentialcollectibles on September 16, 2012 at 8:27pm: Hi Richard I would assume that anyone who purchases a framed item of high value would have the picture removed and authenticated. I also would find it hard to believe that a scam artist would frame an item that is marked REPLICA in large letters and sell it. I will be working with Ebay to make sure that none of the items we sell are resold as authentic.

Comment by DB on September 17, 2012 at 2:33am: China signing machine (fake china baseballs with bogus, albeit real, COAs)? Gee I wonder if there is a connection. I wonder if this is some the Federal Agencies might be of interest.

@presidentialCollectibles; you indicated "was selling" does this mean you are no longer selling and have removed the remaining listings and cancelled sales not fully completed?

One of the posters here purchased one and here is what he had to say upon receipt, "receipt from the seller does NOT indicate that the item is an autopen, but instead states," Neil Armstrong Photo signed in marker".