VeRO

[imaginaryfriend03]

I received an email overnight that a listing of mine (two Marvel patches) was removed due to the VeRO copyright infringement policy. It’s not a huge deal since it was a small listing, but the thing is, my items came direct from Marvel, the people who apparently reported the infringement. I guess I can understand why legally EBay removes the item & doesn’t give you a chance to explain, but also that’s frustrating since in this case the items were completely legit. I don’t expect Marvel to know every item they have sold over the years but then they shouldn’t be messing with people’s listing. Also, other sellers still have one of the items listed on the platform as we speak. I now am concerned other items could get flagged erroneously. Are there any tips to stop this from have this happening again? Should I not use the company name in my listings? 

[disneyshopper]

If you received a VeRO takedown, that means the manufacturer does not want their items listed on ebay.

I went to view the list of participants in VeRO, but Marvel did not upload a page, and I wasn't able to find the actual holding company name.

Do not relist.  If you do, on a second takedown, you can be restricted and finally suspended.

[rfmtm]

Do not relist until the matter is resolved.

Manufacturers abuse the VeRO system all the time.  You have every right to resell an authentic legally obtained item, whether the manufacturer likes it or not, as long as you don't otherwise infringe on their rights.

Did you use your own photo's?

Did you use your own description?

Did you copy anything in your listing that was not yours to copy?

You need to contact the VeRO member in the email you received to find out what their problem is with your listing.  Also with copyright take downs you are free to file a counter notice to assert your position.

[gosimus]

@disneyshopper 

< wasn't able to find the actual holding company name >   

Excerpt from  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Disney-Company/Expansion-ABC-Pixar-Marvel-Entertainment-and-Lucasfi...  "Disney ... acquired Marvel Entertainment, a company best known as a comic book publisher, for $4 billion in 2009."

The VeRO participants pages at  https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/ebay-for-business/verified-rights-owner-program  do not list Marvel, do not list Disney, and do not list Walt Disney. 

@imaginaryfriend03  wrote "I received an email overnight that a listing of mine (two Marvel patches) was removed due to the VeRO copyright infringement policy."  

The VeRO site linked above contains the following statement:  

If your listing was removed based on a VeRO report, eBay sent you an email with details about why your listing was reported and how to contact the rights owner directly for more information.  If you have concerns or questions about why your listing was removed, please contact the rights owner directly.  

Contact us in the following circumstances  

•  You can’t find the rights owner’s email address in your removal notification email.  

Did you "contact them" ?  

I wonder if just anybody can send eBay a complaint, and falsely claiming to be a VeRO member, to get a listing removed.  Making an attempt might be a good experiment.   

The Participants Page, in the FAQ's, tells you that you can dispute the removal and prohibition:  

How can I file a counter notice? (US only)

Counter notices can only be submitted for US-based copyright reports, in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  Find out what information you need to provide when filing a counter notice as outlined under 17 U.S.C. section 512(g)(3).  Once we receive a valid counter notice, we’ll provide a copy of the notice to the VeRO participant and inform them that the listings will be reinstated after 10 business days if they don’t inform us that they have filed an action seeking a court order to restrain you from relisting the items.  If you wish to file a counter notice, you can contact us.  

Again, that "contact us" business.  Good luck with that. 

[disneyshopper]

@gosimus 

The VeRO participants pages at  https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/ebay-for-business/verified-rights-owner-program  do not list Marvel, do not list Disney, and do not list Walt Disney. 

Yes, I know that Disney does not have any participant pages.  I sell Disney products.  I did not see Marvel among the listings, and knew that Disney purchased Marvel in years past.