Copyrighted

[athleticavenue]

Dear eBay community, 

This is a little bit random, but I am a seller on eBay and was wanting to make myself a hat for when I go thrifting. I was wondering if I could use something like this image to put on the hat.

This is only an example, but is this allowed? I know I'm not allowed to use the eBay logo, but can I use the colors? Any help is greatly appreciated. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I don't see why not, nobody has trademarked the word "money", though I'm sure Gene Simmons has tried.  But why do you want to advertise that you're a reseller when thrifting?  Lots of stores don't like resellers.   My stores all know I'm a reseller, but I still don't advertise the fact to all my competitors.  

[athleticavenue]

lol. Thats a good point, but in many of the stores I thrift at I know the employees and they don't seem to care. Thank you for your reply 🙂

[athleticavenue]

The question is more about is the color scheme trademarked?

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@athleticavenue wrote:

lol. Thats a good point, but in many of the stores I thrift at I know the employees and they don't seem to care. Thank you for your reply 🙂

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Well, you do you, but most people do NOT want to advertise that they're resellers.  Exactly the opposite.  Lots of customers hate resellers too & knowing all the employees (I do too) can be a double edged sword.  Lots of times in works to your advantage, but sometimes it does the opposite.   Many customers & employees hate resellers & some stores really have a problem with them, which is weird, since we practically keep them in business, but they feel we grab all the good stuff, so the general public never gets a chance.   

Also, keep in mind, the advertising may get people coming up to you asking you for help/tips on reselling.  Personally, I prefer stealth 🙂 

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

I don't think eBay has rights to primary colors or upper and lowercase letters, yet. Also, if you are making something for yourself, you are not impeding on any trademarks. It would be a problem if you mass produced them and sold them. A little too early to walk on those egg shells.......but soon, it will happen.

[athleticavenue]

That makes sense. From the research I have done, I think I can put it on a shirt as long as I don't use the word ebay in it, and it I choose to sell the product I can't use the word ebay in the description. 

[itsjustasprain]

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@athleticavenue wrote:

lol. Thats a good point, but in many of the stores I thrift at I know the employees and they don't seem to care. Thank you for your reply 🙂

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Ummm, yeahhh... I would add another vote here for this being a really bad idea. Sorry...

Regardless of whether your hat says "eBay" or "Moneyyyy" (in eBay colors), you are basically telling people that you're buying for resale and are going to be haggling your purchase. (Even if prices are fixed, you may find sellers reluctant to do you any favors in terms of big purchases or other deals.)

I always, always, always dress down for shopping, not up, when attending flea markets, garage sales, estate sales and such. I wear work clothes, leave my nice watch at home, and don't go checking eBay prices on my phone while in view of others. You want to blend in, not stand out.

[inhawaii]

I'm not qualified to give legal advice but I don't think anyone (including ebay) would care. I say go for it.

[mtgraves7984]

It's colors and a typeface. It doesn't make me think of eBay in any way, either. Maybe that's just me, though...

[evry1nositswindy]

@itsjustasprain  Totally agree with you about dressing down.  I go to auctions all the time and most people don't look like they could rub 2 nickels together.  When I worked at a bank, I received a promotion and part of my job was to cater to certain customers.  Once guy always came in wearing overalls, train hat, always looking down on his luck.  He would come in and get $10k in cash, put it in his front chest pocket and walk out.  I was  instructed to give him any amount of cash he wanted.  He bought cars and the first time I took the money out of his account, I saw he could buy whatever he wanted!  

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

eBay has given out hats with the eBay logo on them. There might be some for sale on ebay right now. Save yourself some time and just buy one of those.

[iamalwaysright]

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@simply-the-best-for-you wrote:

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@athleticavenue wrote:

lol. Thats a good point, but in many of the stores I thrift at I know the employees and they don't seem to care. Thank you for your reply 🙂

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Well, you do you, but most people do NOT want to advertise that they're resellers.  Exactly the opposite.  Lots of customers hate resellers too & knowing all the employees (I do too) can be a double edged sword.  Lots of times in works to your advantage, but sometimes it does the opposite.   Many customers & employees hate resellers & some stores really have a problem with them, which is weird, since we practically keep them in business, but they feel we grab all the good stuff, so the general public never gets a chance.   

Also, keep in mind, the advertising may get people coming up to you asking you for help/tips on reselling.  Personally, I prefer stealth 🙂 

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For those of you who agree with this and want to look inconspicuous, I can sell you a hat that says “NOT a reseller” if you want. I guarantee that will totally remove your scent.

[chapeau-noir]

You can do pretty much what you want for yourself - the intellectual copyright kicks in when/if you try to start selling them.

[soh.maryl]

Am no longer a seller myself, but why would you want to do that, exactly?

And, if some stores don't like resellers, why risk putting yourself in that category for no reason at all?

Back to the "some stores don't like resellers":  Can anyone explain that to me in a logical way? Have been trying for years to understand why it matters what any buyer does with his purchase after it's paid for.