Collectors should be very careful when purchasing any  Lord of the Rings movie press material, particularly the CDrom press kits.

Press Kit photos are far and away the easiest to fake-simply copy the photos on a color copier, and voila, you have a duplicate press kit. If you are buying a photo press kit, look for a folder to come with it. None of the folders have been duplicated, to my knowledge. Since the folders were elaborately printed with embossing, and sometimes even with gilt trim, they would be extremely difficult to duplicate.

Not all press material came in folders, however,  a lot did come with corresponding information. To my knowledge there were very few actual press photos, as the photo art was generally distributed by CDrom, rather than still photo. Still, there were a couple of rare but elaborate folders that did come with press photos and handouts.

The British press handouts are also easily photocopied or reprinted on a color copier, but did not come with folders. They consist of a single  heavy stock paper cover, with a full color reproduction movie poster and title, stapled to a stack of press notes and production date.

The press kit CD-roms tend to be the most expensive of the collectible press kit material that is readily available. But, with modern technology, these are also easily copied. Expect a press kit CD-rom to come in an elaborately printed gatefold holder, with full color printing both inside and out.  The CDroms should have an "enamelled" label. A paper label is generally indicative of a fake.

Also, in many cases, a single lable indicates a fake or burned copy, too. New Line usually did a double lable,with a small circle around the donut hole, a gap, and then the larger label on the surface of the CDrom itself.

Do NOT buy the Gollum SFX press kit CDrom unless it comes in a full color cardboard slipcover. Because these are so valuable and sought after, one unscrupulous dealer burned and sold several. His are easily identifiable by the paper label, which has an off kilter picture of Gollum on it. He sold his in plain white paper slipcovers.

There were some rare and unusual CDrom press kits that fall outside these guidelines, particularly the German Radio Press Kits, which contained sound bites an interviewer could insert to make it sound as if he were doing a live interview with the cast and crew. These were issued in jewel cases, but have not shown up as fakes, to my knowledge, probably because not that many collectors were aware of their existence.

Make sure you are purchasing from a reputable, experienced collector or dealer, or someone with actual press credentials. It is usually easy to verify this- check their other auctions, both current and completed? Do they specialize in press kits? Or, were they selling underwear two weeks ago, a video game last week, and a press kit this week? Check all the seller's feedback, including neutrals he's received. Does he have complaints of burned copies? Complaints about selling a CDr?

In any case, you should always check your seller's feedback.....period, and ask questions when necessary. Reputable collectors welcome inquiries.  Doing your homework will save you a lot of heartache-and  a lot of money- in the long run.