Bogus commercial heraldry....

[macwilkin]

Can you prove intent to deceive?

Legally fraud is an offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them – usually, to obtain property or services unjustly. If someone is buying a coat of arms, how are they being harmed?

Regarding fraud: One thing to consider is that the people who work these booths/kiosks/shops are not genealogists, but minimum wage folks who aren't too different from the kid asking you if you want fries with that. The owners/operators need to know something and be good salespeople. Usually, the worker bees only know how to run the programs on the 'puter.

Ah, I wondered when the "barrack-room lawyers" would come out.

I suppose I should chalk it up to "a fool and his money are soon parted", but I have little sympathy for these businesses. Yes, it may not fit the legal definition of fraud, but to the heraldry community, it is fraud nonetheless, because someone is being duped into buying arms that are not theirs. I suppose it's a bit like the online places selling term papers to students; whilst it may not be illegal in the eyes of the law, but does that really justify it?

Regards,

Todd

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

I am not barrack room lawyer. I have a degree from the University of Exeter and have been admitted to the Bar for nearly 20 years.

Ah, I wondered when the "barrack-room lawyers" would come out.

I suppose I should chalk it up to "a fool and his money are soon parted", but I have little sympathy for these businesses. Yes, it may not fit the legal definition of fraud, but to the heraldry community, it is fraud nonetheless, because someone is being duped into buying arms that are not theirs. I suppose it's a bit like the online places selling term papers to students; whilst it may not be illegal in the eyes of the law, but does that really justify it?

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

I am not barrack room lawyer. I have a degree from the University of Exeter and have been admitted to the Bar for nearly 20 years.

I suppose they don't teach what smileys such as mean at Exeter.

Apologies for the offence; rest assured I meant none towards your chosen profession.

T.