but be aware they are duped items, and are considered not illegal
hehe, does that mean they are legal (not illegal = legal)
Anyhow, here we go again. How can anyone justify one dupe and call it a rare and the other dupe not a rare? Besides, buying knockoffs as long as their legality haven't been determined by EA, people will contiue to buy it. But that's beside the point, the question here is are they "rare". Yes they are, they are a "rare" because they fit the properties of a "rare" i.e. limited quantity, not everyone has one, you can't make them anymore, and is not a normal item.
Look at the real world, how many are buying knockoffs on purses, watches, paintings. Not everyone can afford the real thing, some people are fine on knockoff versions just because they can use it for decoration or wear it because it makes them look or feel good. Whats wrong with that?
Sure, UO deleted the shrouds, but thats just 1 type out of so many that are still not fixed, will they fix it? who know, but should this keep people from buying? I don't think so. Otherwise, no one should buy 80% of the rares out there because most are probably dupped.
I can go through anyone's museum including yours and find items that have been dupped. Bottom line is just because UO can't find a way to identify real dupes doesnt make it a legitimate rare. Either you call all rares - rares, or only unique items (only 1 exist) rares.
However, I am willing to compromise. There is one category we can throw in that would limit these items and that is price. If lets say one of the attributes of calling a rare "a rare" is they must be worth retail at least 10 mil, then that would pretty much wipe out all those items (doggy dupped). But the majority has to agree on that. I am cool with that.