But it's often tough to distinguish between the real autographed goods and the fake ones. Half of the autographs are real, the other half aren't. Halifax-based CrossOff has struck a deal with the Hockey Hall of Fame. Signed memorabilia sold by the institution will now be protected with a new kind of anti-forgery system. When you buy an item, you'll receive a certificate of authenticity, which includes a tracking number and password, which is then registered to an online site.
Prospective buyers can check the site to confirm that the item is the real thing.
We're going to track this item for the rest of its life just like a car which is bought and sold. Hockey players who attended the launch say the effort is worthwhile. When I look at you, say you paid something, then you're happy. The company behind the system says as many as two out of three collectibles on the market today are fake. Copyright 2001 by Global IBS Partnership.