How do I protect my product listings?

[musicalb]

Hi. I am a craftsman who makes some traditional musical instruments. I formulate each of my listings here on ebay in detail for the search terms

How do I protect my product listings from other sellers who sell similar products but copy my content? I tried to communicate with them but the messages I received are insulting and threatening. How to act in these cases please?

Thank you

[ebooksdiva]

What should I do if my image, video or text is being used by another seller?

When you create listings you give eBay and its customers permission, through our user agreement, to use your images, videos and product details. Your content may be added to the eBay product catalog, and may be used by other sellers in their eBay listings.

You may contact the seller and ask them to remove your image or text if it is not part of the eBay product catalog.

Images, Videos And Text Policy  

[powell-memorabilia]

You don’t - other sellers can take inspiration from your listings.  Or even copy them, word for word.

[itsjustasprain]

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@musicalb wrote:

How do I protect my product listings from other sellers who sell similar products but copy my content?

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Basically you cannot. I see that happening in my selling account all the time. Best you can do is take clear photos of your own item along with a description very specific to your item. Anyone copying your content after that will either have to spend time making changes to fit their item instead of yours or risk getting a Not as Described dispute when their buyer gets their item and finds it does not match the listing.

[caldreamer]

EBAY allows other people to copy listings.

[musicalb]

All set, thanks but what about the threatening messages I received from them?! I just tried to communicate

[pburn]

People rarely react graciously when confronted with accusations about this kind of thing--especially when those people are acting within the acceptable policies and procedures.

By contacting them with (I assume) your selling id, you may have exposed your account to retaliatory buying activity. Keep an eye on your sales.

[josephb555]

If anyone threatens you on eBay you should report them to eBay since it is a violation of the rules.  

[cstpos]

@musicalb  You can report those sellers to ebay for violating the ToS regarding communication. Ebay does tell users to reach out and ask sellers to stop using your material if said material isn't in the ebay product catalog.

Since you handcraft your items, I don't see how they could sell the exact items you make, leaving themselves open for an INAD return if the pics don't match what they are selling. I am always surprised when I see our photos on other seller's listings. Wording is different - many people can use the exact same wording when describing a like item.

You can make yours stand out by adding "Hand crafted" or "Hand Made" to your title and listing details. Best of Luck!

[musicalb]

The product is handmade, but there are several workers. This seller sells the products of other workers where the photos are different, but the wording or content was made from my listings.