ebay removed my products to due to patent violations
Summary: coolcashgifts shared their frustration over having their water balloons removed from various platforms due to patent violations by a major manufacturer. They sought advice on how to sell the remaining inventory, mentioning difficulties with alternative platforms like TikTok and Facebook Marketplace. christworks and others advised against reselling the items, suggesting donations instead to avoid legal issues. Additional suggestions included building a personal website, although some cautioned about the legal risks. Responses varied from recommending flea markets to creative uses like using the balloons as part of a performance act.
So the worst thing that can happen to a seller has happened to me and many of us.....we have all had our quick fill water balloons removed because of patent violations ( from Zuru Corp, manufacturer of Bunch of balloons, who market and sell WAY OVERPRICED BALLOONS to the public not just on ebay, but all the big box retailers, Amazon, etc). Now we are trying to get rid of our inventory and really dont have many choices unless you can tell me a few. Mercari has also pulled the plug, as well as Amazon and Walmart. Tiktoc is an absolute nightmare to sell on. I am on Facebook marketplace with poor results. PLEASE give me some suggestions on where to get rid of these ballons. I am even willing to sell at or below cost. Thanks in advance. Etsy also pulled the plug.
onlinecentral
·Aug 13, 2026 at 2:18 PMPLEASE give me some suggestions on where to get rid of these ballons.
Become a children's entertainer and use the balloons in your act. Learn to put clown makeup on yourself, perform magic tricks and sing.
bgt_masters_of_tiki_d
·Aug 13, 2026 at 2:13 PMFrom another perspective, I wish this would happen to much of the stuff I sell. The market was flooded with knock offs and fakes and it has crushed the market for many parts.
dhbookds
·Aug 13, 2026 at 1:14 PMSo you're asking us to help you violate the law?
I could commiserate with 'I didn't realize", etc....... but now that you do..............
arraus
·Aug 13, 2026 at 11:29 AM · Edited@coolcashgifts
In my experience, I have to pay for ads on FaceBook to get things moving (or even seen).
You can't claim it's a Brand's item, or even name them, if it's not authentic. That's a good way to get sued.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND (to avoid being sued IF they are authentic):
Take your own photos & write your own copy. Don't dare use theirs. Throw descriptions into AI to rewrite and avoid copywrite infringement.
In listings, write, "Reseller, Not an Authorized Distributor".
It would be best to list as "Used". I see so many are listed as "New" BUT try it. Can't hurt. That will probably help keep your listing from being pulled by eBay (in addition to #1 and #2 above) and will protect you from infringement claims.
It's frustrating. Some of these brands overreach and eBay can't afford to litigate all of them, probably because is is so costly, even when they're in the right. Sometimes, sellers don't understand they can't legally resell as if they're an authorized distributor and legally can't use images & text from others (even other sellers).
Don't buy and try to sell knock-offs. In USA it's illegal and the brands do sue. It's boilerplate for IP attorneys to go after sellers like that.
authentic*vintage
·Aug 13, 2026 at 11:13 AMFlea market
annadryl
·Aug 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM · EditedThat might be the worst thing to happen to a seller knowingly trying to sell knockoffs across multiple platforms when obviously the rights-owners of the originals are actively (and successfully) putting a stop to it. An actual lawsuit would be worse. I'd take the hint...
This one screams "Legos". Some brands are pretty aggressive. I think this inventory is best just donated somewhere.
jollyroger14
·Aug 13, 2026 at 8:12 AMQuite simple...build a website and use own cart. I personally built my own store using square shopping cart as the back end. The trick is getting it in google seo style to be seen. Thats the issue im having... having my own store seen. For now Im using ebay till my store becomes searchable.
arraus
·Aug 13, 2026 at 11:31 AM · EditedThat's how to get sued. I've seen brands go aggressive over this, and they don't stop going after the seller until they win in court and make an example out of them.
It's not that it can't be done, but I wouldn't do it without the guidance from an IP attorney. It has to be done very carefully. Even then, big money can still sue, which is costly even when in the right.
jollyroger14
·3 weeks agoIm careful. I have 100 agents between 3 pcs I can scour and find if the ip belongs to someone else. But I dont flip garbage from ALibaba. I mainly list vintage NOS items.... which is not IP issue. Same as autozone reslling...I never claim to be manufacturer. I just run a auto parts store.
albertabrightalberta
·Aug 13, 2026 at 6:48 AM · Edited@coolcashgifts
Your active listings have pictures showing cheap fakes from Alibaba with Alibaba watermarks!
However in looking at some of your previous (ended) listings (for example item 177537491413), you listed those generic items as "Zuru" in the item specifics and used their "Bunch O Balloons" trademarked word in the description.
I don't know how you listed the removed items but if they were listed as Zuru, that's why they were removed.
It doesn't look like you have fakes but rather, cheap Chinese-made similar items.
You can't list something as a brand if that manufacturer didn't make the item.
mspirit57
·Aug 13, 2026 at 6:26 AMDonate them to party planner?
christworks
·Aug 13, 2026 at 3:51 AM@coolcashgifts I'm not even sure what "WAY OVERPRICED BALLOONS" is or why we are yelling it out loud, but I admit it felt good to do. Market determines price. That's how it is supposed to work in America.
From what it sounds like, you bought knock-off inventory. That's like me going out and buying a bunch of Louis knock-offs from Jack's Freaky Fakes on the side of Canal St in lower Manhattan. Selling them at a loss does not stop the infringement. You need to trash them or donate them, ideally to large churches or schools that might use them for a field day/outdoor day event.
I disagree this is the worse thing that can happen to a seller. It sounds like you knew you had knock-offs, but you bought and sold them anyway and it finally caught up with you. Be thankful they aren't suing you. That would be the worse thing that could happen. It could still happen, especially now that you've been warned. I do not advise looking for another place to sell, especially online.