Table of Contents

Preface     

1. The Art Fraud Virus  

2. Strains of the Virus     

The FTC Warning     

The Limited Edition Virus     

The Contest Winner Virus     

The Mix and Match Virus     

The Ancient Artifact Virus    

The Investment Virus     

The Art of Carlo Ponzi     

The Ponzi Diagnosis     

Securities Fraud Too?     

The Guy Hain Virus     

The Venger Virus     

The Sakhai Virus     

Checklist

For Strains of the Virus     

3. Preventive Medicine     

Friend or Foe?     

Your Internal Lie Detector     

Don’t be Emotional     

Argumentum ad Populum     

Argumentum ad Verecundiam     

Psssst ...To Tell You The Truth     

Vaccines      

Know What You Are Buying     

Telephone Vaccine     

Reputable Dealer Vaccine     

Free Advice Vaccine     

The Expert Vaccine     

4. Diagnosis     

Assemble the Evidence     

Make a Short Story     

Make a Long Story     

Organize Papers and Make Exhibits     

Annotate the Long Story     

Catalog the Suspects     

Checklist for Diagnosis     

5. Treatment in General     

The Main Categories     

Criminal Prosecution or Civil Action?     

The Criminal Law System     

The Civil Law System     

Treatment Chart A     

6. Treatment for the Buyer     

Fraud     

Fraudulent Misrepresentation    

Breach of Contract     

Unlawful Trade Practices     

 7.Treatment for the Artist     

Copyright Act     

Direct Infringement     

Contributory Infringement     

Vicarious Infringement     

Monetary Remedies for Infringement     

Enjoin the Infringement     

Recover or Destroy the Infringing Item

8. Whom Not to Call

The FBI

The Secret Service

The FTC

The SEC

The United States Attorney

The State Attorney General

Local Police – The Right Choice

Checklist for Whom Not to Call

Appendix A

     (Selected Notes From Harmonized Tariff Schedule)

Appendix B

     (Selected California Statutes)