How to contact eBay about a seller who is using art without permission.

[zumkauf1210]

An eBay seller is using much original art without the artists' permission, printing on ceramic tiles to sell.  This is illegalt and eBay has allowed the seller to continue even after I complained about my art being used without permission. 

[krazzykats]

Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) policy | eBay

[mtgraves7984]

Is your work protected/copyrighted? Maybe you need to reach out to the seller doing it... not eBay. Good luck.

[luckythewinner]

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@zumkauf1210 wrote:

An eBay seller is using much original art without the artists' permission, printing on ceramic tiles to sell.  This is illegalt and eBay has allowed the seller to continue even after I complained about my art being used without permission. 

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It is the artist's job to use the VERO program to have the listings removed.

If the artist is you, you need to register for the VERO program and use it to report the listings.

If the artist is not you, you need to contact the artist, not eBay.

[djvp53 · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry that someone is capitalizing on your original work. I hope you get them shut down.  I'm impressed that you are so diligently protecting your copyright.

krazzykats linked to the VeRO policy which gives you at least two ways to file your complaint: A Notice of Claimed Infringement ("NOCI") and a Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") notice. If I were you, I would complete both. I hope you get quick action. 

If you know the other artists whose worked is being pilfered, I would notify them too so they can take the same steps. Ebay might be able to ignore or downplay one or two complaints but if many artists are complaining, they will have to take action at some point.

Good luck!

[coolections]

Are you the artist? If so, use the link to Vero that krazzykats supplied you. If you are not the artist, then hit the back button and let the artist deal with it.

[zumkauf1210]

Thank you for the replies informing me about VeRO.  I do not sell on eBay and am not familiar with this route.  I am just a quilt artist.  I was casually searching for a gift when I accidentally came across the image of my prize-winning quilt, which led me to the violator's site.  I was shocked to see so many images of works by quilt artists familiar to me.  I immediately contacted the seller to take down his goods containing my image and he complied.  But there were so many other "stolen" images of quilts that I recognized from national and international shows that left me stunned.  I do not know how he acquired the image of my art as I have no website and do not post in any social media.

[slippinjimmy]

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@zumkauf1210 wrote:

 I do not know how he acquired the image of my art as I have no website and do not post in any social media.

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Did you sell the quilt? If yes then perhaps the buyer posted it online somewhere (pinterest, instagram, facebook) and that is where it was copied from.

[zumkauf1210]

No sale.  It is still in my possession.

[femmefan1946]

accidentally came across the image of my prize-winning quilt, which led me to the violator's site. I was shocked to see so many images of works by quilt artists familiar to me.

I suspect that whoever awarded you the prize published the pictures of your work -- and possibly that of the other fabric artists.

Get in touch with them and let them know so they can protect artists in future.

I'm not highly familiar with copyright,  but as the name implies, only you as the originating artist have the right to copy your work.  And you don't have to register or do anything to have that copyright upheld.

As others have said, do tell the other artists about your shocking find. And let them know how to complain and about the VeRO program.

We eBay sellers have arguments with the program, but it is there for a reason.