'Dark Knight' Heath memorabilia is bogus

LOS ANGELES, March 31 (UPI) -- Items being sold as supposedly linked to the late Heath Ledger's work in the new film "The Dark Knight" are fake, Hollywood's Warner Bros. Pictures said.

The Australian actor completed his work on the latest Batman movie before he died in January at the age of 28. The film is due to be released this summer.

Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper said products such as posters and signed photos, associated with Ledger's portrayal of the dastardly Joker, are being sold to buyers and fans in Los Angeles souvenir shops.

The film studio making the movie, however, is warning the public the merchandise is not authentic.

"Fans are being duped. There are no 'Dark Knight' posters or memorabilia on sale yet. We are investigating how they have been pirated," said a Warner Bros. representative, adding that an investigation is being conducted into who is committing "these acts of theft and fraud."

The Celebrity News Service said Ledger's family is "furious that pirates are cashing on his death."