Fraud is fraud no matter what face you try to put on it.
George's material (images) are clearly identified as
being copyrighted.  There is no excuse for taking them
and using them as they were -- for material gain.  It's
theft of images and then misrepresenting specimens
offered. If he has a lawyer, this is a good chance to put
him/her to work enforcing international law.

I am personally tired of people who think that theft of
intellectual property is acceptable.  Those who think
otherwise need to do some reading about the new
laws governing same!

Bill F.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Avril Bourquin" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: Fake photos in http://www.ebay.com/


> Dear conchlers,
>
> I followed up on this matter personally as I felt there had to be a reason
> for it.  Surprisingly, I came upon a young, inexperienced newbie on eBay
> named Andrew Sharpe.  Some of you may know David (his Dad) of Richard
Sharpe
> from their Philippine export business and Vancouver, British Columbia
Import
> business.  I dealt with them on shells for many years through the 70 and
80s
> and was always treated most fairly by them.
>
> Andrew says he was trying to save time and wanted to use the "best"
picture
> that he could of the three cowries species he is offering and he felt
anyone
> who is wanting to purchase such rare cowries would want to talk to him
> personally before purchasing them at any rate.  After talking to me over
the
> phone (a call which he personally put through to me after I contacted him
on
> his eBay address), he realizes that what he did is not acceptable and he
> assures me that it will not be repeated. After all he as well has a
> reputation to build up and maintain on eBay so he really doesn't want to
> start off by offending everyone.
>
> I'm not condoning what he did by any means and I have done my best to
> correct Andrew, but, let's not blow this all up out of proportion and
start
> calling people dishonest until all the facts are know.
>
> George, I know you are angry and I don't blame you and  I hope I haven't
> offended you either.  Just call it my "Pollyanna" complex as I try and see
> the good in everyone.
>
> All the best,
>
> Avril Bourquin
> P.O.Box 366
> Invermere, British Columbia
> Canada
> V0A 1K0
>
> Phone: (250) 342-7224
> EMail:  [log in to unmask]
> URL:  www.manandmollusc.net