posted 06-05-2024 06:23 PM               

A few years back when SpaceX patches were not easy to obtain "knockoffs" being produced in Malaysia were showing up on eBay. Several members on this website expressed their concern and called the patches what they really were and still are. Not only were they fake but they were also stolen artwork from the true designers and owners, as well as the manufacturer, who was producing them for legitimate sales for SpaceX.

It did not stop with SpaceX. During this time SLS was getting started and EFT-1 launched. This created official patches as well as a few members of this community (who will remain nameless) produced their own patch or a commemorative honoring the flight. I remember when some of the commemoratives and a special patch produced by a fellow member went up for either resale on eBay or was being copied. The review was not welcomed by the artists and producers, along with myself and most collectors.

Today, the making of non-authentic patches and selling them on eBay as authentic has become out of control. Years back they were being produced in foreign countries, mostly Malaysia. But, now they are being produced here in the United States. An embroidery machine is easy to obtain and with the help of technology these patches are easy to produce.

SpaceX employee patches are no different than any sold to the public except for an X or as in the past an employee number. These two features can be easily added to a patch.

Myself and a few other collectors have not only witnessed this but have actually purchased a few of these patches for comparison to the authentic ones and yes there is a big difference. In relation to SpaceX patches, there is currently a Starship IV patch listed as "Authentic" and already has two bids from one bidder. This seller has done this repeatedly in the past and is a seller in this country. Most of us in the cS community know currently how SpaceX releases a patch to the public if they choose to. It is only released after a successful mission according to SpaceX.

As far as employee patches are concerned, the company is very strict with any type of resale of a patch and can lead to employee termination.

The patch I am referring to is listed as "Authentic" but the mission has not even began. The SpaceX web store has not even offered it and it is not an employee patch. So, either the patch is a knockoff, stolen, or unauthorized to sell... period!

Myself along with a few others are concerned that this fraudulent market is not only destroying the values of honest authentic patches, but the integrity of patch collecting.

I am referring to one patch listed today but there are many others out there. It is not just related to SpaceX. I am afraid due to SpaceX restricting the sale of their patches from what they were a few years back a lot of collectors are just looking for fillers. I am okay with someone wanting a filler but the fraudulent ways of these sellers has become out of control and they are not listed as reproductions.

Yes, one can report sellers to eBay which I will say I have done.

I along with other collectors would welcome your opinions. I do ask that we collectors become a team and point out these fraudulent patches whenever we can. The more complaints eBay receives the more they might begin to listen. The quick response I received showed proof they do not attempt to authenticate a listing.

I do know if a company — for example, AB Emblem — files a complaint or reports an item is immediately taken down and the seller is restricted from listing for 15 days.

Basically, these patches need to be listed as to what they really are (e.g. reproductions). We have got to get back to the root of collecting.

posted 06-05-2024 07:20 PM               

If eBay were to act on every report it receives from third parties, the company would be opening itself to legal action. That is not going to happen.

The only entity that can strike down a knockoff patch is the intellectual property (IP) owner.

My guess is that SpaceX is aware of the knockoffs being sold and have chosen not to take action to stop the sales. Instead, they have ceased releasing the artwork for their patches.

posted 06-05-2024 07:45 PM               

We hope that others will begin to call out these sellers or at least beware of them. Professionally speaking, this forum might not be the place to do it and you probably would not allow it. That is why no names or listing numbers were given.

On the flip side, though, I think every member should be aware of these sellers as I am sure there have been members who have purchased these patches. At least when a seller is asked to prove authenticity and refuses a red flag should be quickly raised and brought to members attention who are potential buyers.

And, yes you hit the nail on the head with souvenir patches being replicated too.

posted 06-06-2024 10:26 AM               

Personally, I never really understood the premium on employee patches considering there are at least 9000 of them made for each mission. The souvenir/press versions maybe numbering 100-500 or so. There's just some sort of novelty in the employee-owned aspect.

posted 06-06-2024 02:04 PM               

However, as patch collectors we have become at somewhat of a stalemate in authenticity. At one time, as I mentioned, members on this forum stood up and expressed their concern on fraudulent patches. It is not just reproductions being sold as originals but possible authentic patches being sold when they have not even been released. There are a lot of items on eBay that are stolen, trust me I know from experience with my investigation background.