ACGcert™ Authentication Disclaimer and Terms

Every authentication decision represents ACGcert’s professional opinion based on the evidence available at the time of examination.

Our examination may include signature formation, flow, pressure, speed, pen characteristics, known signing habits, provenance information, reference examples and comparison against our image database.

Although we take reasonable care and apply our professional experience to every examination, autograph authentication is opinion-based. No authentication opinion can provide an absolute or permanent guarantee of authenticity or non-authenticity.

An ACGcert opinion relates to the condition and evidence available when the item was examined. It may be affected by undisclosed alterations, restoration, reproduction, misleading provenance or other information that was unavailable to us.

Unless expressly confirmed otherwise in writing by ACGcert, our authentication, certification, grading, hologram, Certificate of Authenticity or Letter of Authenticity applies exclusively to the autograph or signature examined.

ACGcert does not authenticate, approve, certify, endorse or guarantee the underlying item upon which a signature appears.

This includes, without limitation:

• Football shirts, including replica, unofficial, unauthorised or counterfeit shirts
• Photographs, prints and photographic reproductions
• Footballs and other sporting equipment
• Football boots and footwear
• Boxing gloves and other sporting accessories
• Posters, prints and promotional materials
• Toys, figures and collectible products
• Comics, magazines, cards and paper-based items
• Clothing, merchandise, packaging or memorabilia of any kind

The presence of an ACGcert hologram, certification number, grade, Certificate of Authenticity or Letter of Authenticity must not be represented as confirmation that the underlying item is official, licensed, match-worn, player-issued, original, genuine, authorised by a club, manufacturer, brand, rights holder or governing body, or lawfully produced or sold.

ACGcert may be asked to examine a genuine autograph appearing on an unofficial, replica, unlicensed, unauthorised or otherwise non-original item.

Where ACGcert authenticates such a signature, the authentication confirms only our professional opinion concerning the signature. It does not change, approve or legitimise the status of the underlying item.

ACGcert is not responsible for determining:

• Whether an item is officially licensed or authorised
• Whether brand names, club badges, logos, player images or other intellectual property have been used with permission
• Whether an item is genuine merchandise produced by the stated manufacturer
• Whether a football shirt is authentic, replica, match-worn, player-issued or commercially authorised
• Whether the possession, advertising, resale, distribution or other use of an item complies with applicable law or third-party rights

Authentication of a signature does not constitute approval, endorsement or affiliation by any football club, sports organisation, athlete, celebrity, manufacturer, brand owner, copyright owner or trademark holder.

ACGcert reserves the right to refuse, suspend or withdraw its services where it reasonably believes an item may be unlawful, misleading, improperly described or otherwise unsuitable for certification.

The person submitting an item is responsible for:

• Accurately describing the item and its provenance
• Disclosing any known concerns, alterations or relevant information
• Ensuring they are legally entitled to possess and submit the item
• Determining whether the underlying item is official, licensed or authorised
• Ensuring that any subsequent advertising, description, transfer or sale of the item is accurate and lawful
• Clearly stating that ACGcert’s certification applies to the signature only where the underlying item has not been separately authenticated

The customer must not use ACGcert certification in a way that falsely suggests that ACGcert has authenticated or approved the underlying product, its provenance, its licensing status or its description.

ACGcert accepts no responsibility for claims, listings or representations made by an owner, dealer, auction house, marketplace, reseller or other third party after an item has been examined.

Where an autograph grade is provided, that grade relates only to the visual quality and execution of the authenticated signature at the time of examination.

The grade does not assess or guarantee:

• The condition or quality of the underlying item
• The item’s official or licensed status
• Provenance, ownership history or signing circumstances
• Market value, desirability or future resale value
• Whether the item is match-worn, player-issued, screen-used or otherwise original

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or death or personal injury caused by negligence. Nothing in these terms affects a consumer’s statutory rights.

Subject to those protections and to the fullest extent permitted by law, ACGcert shall not be responsible for:

• Loss arising from the unofficial, unauthorised, counterfeit, unlicensed or incorrectly described status of an underlying item
• Claims involving trademarks, copyright, image rights, club badges, brand names, licensing or other intellectual-property rights
• A seller’s or third party’s description, valuation, advertising or resale of an item
• Loss caused by inaccurate, incomplete or withheld information supplied to ACGcert
• Changes in market value or the commercial desirability of an item
• Differences of professional opinion between ACGcert and another authenticator
• Indirect, consequential or purely economic losses arising from reliance on an authentication opinion, except where such liability cannot lawfully be excluded

For customers acting in the course of a business, ACGcert’s total liability arising from an individual authentication service shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid to ACGcert for that individual service.

Authentication fees cover the professional examination and assessment undertaken by ACGcert. Payment does not guarantee that an item will receive an authentic result.

Refunds are not normally issued where:

• A signature is determined to be not authentic or unlikely to pass
• A signature receives a negative authentication result
• A Quick Opinion has been completed
• Another authentication company subsequently provides a different opinion
• The customer disagrees with an autograph grade
• The underlying item is later found to be unofficial, unauthorised, replica, unlicensed or counterfeit

Where ACGcert is unable to reach an authentication decision and formally records the result as “Inconclusive”, the authentication fee will be refunded. Postage, insurance, handling and other third-party costs are non-refundable unless otherwise required by law.

This refund policy does not affect any statutory rights a consumer may have where ACGcert has failed to provide the service with reasonable care and skill.

Authentication involves professional judgement, and opinions may differ between authentication providers.

A subsequent opinion from another company, auction house, dealer, marketplace or individual does not automatically invalidate ACGcert’s opinion or create an entitlement to a refund or compensation.

ACGcert does not guarantee that any marketplace, auction house, dealer, insurer or prospective purchaser will accept an ACGcert authentication, certification or grade.

ACGcert is committed to:

• Examining every submitted signature professionally and impartially
• Applying reasonable care, skill and recognised examination methods
• Maintaining professional integrity
• Protecting collectors and supporting the autograph community
• Clearly distinguishing signature authentication from authentication of the underlying item
• Maintaining an exact-item photographic record of certified autographs where applicable

For further information, please contact ACGcert through our website or customer-service team.