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NY Appellate Court Dismisses <i>Star Trek</i> Memorabilia Suit

By Noeleen G. Walder

A Star Trek fan who claims he was humiliated after spending more than $24,000 on fake props at a Christie's auction has had his $7 million suit against the auction house zapped by the New York Appellate Division, 1st Department. Moustakis v. Christie's Inc., 1847 (available at www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2009/2009_09543.htm).

Among the items plaintiff Ted Moustakis bought at the 2006 auction to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise was a visor he believed was worn by “Data,” an android character played by actor Brent Spiner in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a sequel to the original TV show. But when Moustakis attended a Star Trek convention and asked Spiner to autograph the visor, the actor allegedly told him the visor was not real. Spiner then warned other fans to be careful not to purchase fake memorabilia, “like the guy who paid 12 grand for a phony visor from Christie's.”

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