Fake degree websites shut down

Earlier this week, the BBC reported ( here) on recent action taken by Hedd (Higher Education Degree Datacheck), an agency set up by the UK government to investigate fraudulent websites posing as bogus universities or selling fake degree certificates from real or bogus institutions.

Examples of fraudulent activity include the selling of certificates from misspelled UK universities such as “Stafford University” (without the –shire) and “Wolverhamton University” (without the p). There were also incidences of fake degree certificates from real UK universities being offered for sale online for £500 and through the auction site, eBay.

As the article mentions, such fraudulent activity also breaches trade mark laws and affected institutions may have legal recourse for trade mark infringement (where they have registered trade marks) or under the UK common law of passing off. This article should serve as a reminder to all – and especially universities – to review their trade mark protection and to seek advice if any untoward activity is detected.

Would you like to read more articles like this?