Bon Jovi or Non Jovi? — Fans Claim Autographed Albums Were Actually Autopenned

Photo Credit: Earl McGehee / CC by 2.0

Fans claim autographed Bon Jovi albums were actually autopenned with a template of the frontman’s signature, accusing the band’s label UMG of deceit.Some fans are accusing Universal Music of deceiving them, claiming the signed editions of Bon Jovi’s new albums contain autopenned templates of frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s signature, rather than authentic autographs from the man himself.

A thread posted on Autograph Live shows at least six alleged templates of autopen signatures across the album. The special edition autographed editions of Bon Jovi’s “Forever” cost the same amount as the standard edition, but fans claim it’s not about the price, feeling the lack of authentic signatures is deceitful.

“Buyers beware,” wrote one user on social media. “Bon Jovi store is sending out autopen signatures. Talk Shop Live is also sending out the same ones. The UK signatures appear to be hand signed.”

“I don’t care if it wasn’t super expensive — it’s the principle of the thing,” said another. “Disappointing.”

Some have complained the signature is on the sleeve rather than the album itself; other versions are said to have it printed on a darker background that makes it difficult to see. But the variation in location for the signature doesn’t denote a lack of authenticity — it just seems to add insult to injury.“Looks like Bon Jovi is the latest to sell autopenned as autograph,” wrote another fan. “Dear UMG, it’s costing you a lot of money to lie about your products. How many people are getting a refund on this? I know your time is so precious, but lying to fans ain’t the win. Nobody wants autopenned.”

A spokesperson for Bon Jovi simply said, “Jon has posted often,” and referred to a photo of the rocker in which he appeared to be signing copies of the album. But nobody was accusing Jon of not having signed any of them — fans have already indicated that some of the signatures are authentic.

The new Bon Jovi docuseries, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” premiered in April, while the latest album, “Forever,” released earlier this month.

UMG has not yet responded to media requests for comment.