Two businessmen, Faisal Madani and Graeme Walker, were convicted of conning sports fans into paying thousands of pounds for forged autographs of their sporting heroes.  Signatures of Jonny Wilkinson, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Sir Alex Ferguson were systematically forged.  Supplied by Madani, they were sold by Walker in his Sporting Icons store in Chester.

Walker denied 53 charges of fraudulent trading and supplying goods bearing false trade descriptions and goods bearing false trade marks, but was convicted of 51 charges including dishonestly trading by selling fake signatures of Sir Alex Ferguson, Gerrard, Wilkinson and others.  Madani was convicted of 18 charges, including supplying many of the items to Walker, although he was cleared of selling a photograph with a fake signature of Gerrard.

Walker was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment whilst the supplier, Madani, was given a 9 month term. 

Ensuring that steps can be taken against those who attempt to trade in this way is made considerably easier if sports stars trade mark their signatures in the appropriate categories.

Contact Davenport Lyons for information about how images and names can be protected from misuse.

© Davenport Lyons 2008. All rights reserved.
This document reflects the law and practice as at April 2008. It is general in nature, and does not purport in any way to be comprehensive or a substitute for specialist legal advice in individual circumstances.