Copyright Theft
Perhaps we should be flattered by the number of people including dealers who continually infringe our IP (Intellectual Property) rights by using our copyright images, but we do not find it amusing, and will take legal action against any copyright thieves.
Austin Coins
Austin Coins, also calling itself Austin Coin Collecting Society of 7200 North Mopac Suite 200, Austin TX 78731, USA, 1-800-928-6468, Outside the U.S. Call 1-512-231-1601, are just one of the many coin dealers worldwide who commit copyright theft by using our copyright images without our permission. On their page http://www.acoins.com/worldcoins.html, which we partially reproduce here, they are clearly using our Krugerrand reverse image, and on http://www.acoins.com/krugerrands.html, they use both obverse of reverse of our famous 1974 Krugerrand image.
They also have the cheek to state: ©2005 Austin Coin Collecting Society, All Rights Reserved
Same Phone Number as Austin Coins
The telephone number given for Accent is the same as that on Austin Coins' website, so we should probably not be surprised that if one of them steals our images, the other does too.
Multiple Aliases
Another thing we noticed about Accent / Austin is that there appears to be a network of websites which all interlink, pretend to have different identities, but are probably all owned and operated by the same companies. On the Krugerrands page of Accent Rare Coins, for example is a list of "recommended sites".
RECOMMENDED SITES FOR GOLD COINS & RARE COINS
About Us | Privacy Policy | Accent Rare Coins Search | Austin Coin Collecting Society | Gold Info Network | Rare Coin Prices
Austin Rare Coins & Bullion | Free Gold Profit Report | Rare Coins dot Com | Rare Coin Museum | Live Gold Prices
Capitol Coin Collecting | American Eagles | US Mint Research | Gold Coins Specifications | Shipwreck Coins
Gold Bullion Coins Research | SilverInfo.net | Gold Prices | The Austin Report | Silver Dollars
These links point to 15 different websites, but our guess is that they are different aliases used by the same company, but made to appear different, some intended to appear as impartial information and advice sites, each recommending as number of sources for buying and selling gold silver or platinum coins and bullion, the sources recommended, not surprisingly, being Austin, Accent, and others from the same stable.
Multiple Sites - Good or Bad
We do not wish to imply that merely by having more than one website, there is any ill intention. We ourselves have over 10 websites, the difference is that although most of our sites have a different layout and design, we clearly state that they are all connected, and our company name, address and full contact details are all clearly shown and easily accessible on every site. The reason for our multiple sites is that each deals in specific areas of specialisation. In the case of Accent / Austin it appears to be done to confuse the customers into thinking they have a choice of different companies.
More About Austin Rare Coins
On the "About Us" page of Austin Coins' website, we found the proud claim shown below.
All About Austin Rare Coins
Serving Investors and Collectors Since 1989
Austin Rare Coins was founded in 1989 to serve collectors, investors, and rare coin dealers. Our staff is devoted to providing our clients with professional advice and high quality U.S. rare gold coins, silver dollars, and gold bullion coins at low, low prices.
Austin Rare Coins is proudly a member of the Numismatic Guarantee Corp, the Professional Coin Grading Service, and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. As members, this shows our good standing with our peers in the numismatic industry.
In addition, our principals are members of the American Numismatic Association, the Canadian Numismatic Association and the Texas Numismatic Association. At Austin Rare Coins, we have the credentials and reputation as a professional firm you can depend on for fairness and honesty.
Austin Rare Coins, Inc. home offices and vault facilities in Austin, Texas (Caption on a very impressive looking building)
Professional References
Austin Rare Coins, Inc. is a privately held corporation formed in 1989 under the laws of the state of Texas. The officers and shareholders of our firm are devoted to maintaining the highest standards for rare coin quality, fairness, honesty, and service excellence. Our firm is recognized as an industry leader in the Rare Coin Market and is well known by our industry associations.
If Austin is such a well-founded, with professional advice, good standing, credentials and reputation as a professional firm you can depend on for fairness and honesty, devoted to maintaining the highest standards for rare coin quality, fairness, honesty, an industry leader in the Rare Coin Market, why does it not have the resources or desire to use its own photographs instead of using ours?
United States Rare Coin & Bullion Reserve
A full page advert in the Daily Telegraph, from an almost familiar address, and some rather misleading claims.
Copyright Notice
Please see our "Copyright" page for further information.
Copyright Infringements Remedies
Our suggested draft remedies for copyright abusers dependent on category - competitors, bloggers, pseudo-expert & advice sites acting as eBay & Google portals, eBay & other auction site sellers.
Other Copyright Abuse
Other Copyright Abuse
Our Images
We have shown our own images so that you can compare.
Other Web Sites
All comments about copyright also cover content of all our other websites including, but not limited to:-
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Austin Coin Collecting Society Page
Austin Coins Krugerrands Page
Our Images
Obverse of 1974 Krugerrand
Reverse of 1974 Krugerrand
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