Seller CONtinually STEALS my listing Pictures, Titles & Descriptions...Where do I report it???

[humminbird-heaven]

I've been dealing with this seller for quite some time now...many years now...about over it...He sells the same type items as me...He continually steals my listing pictures, titles, descriptions, WORD for WORD....doesnt even attempt to change anything or to hide it...I even use sticky notes on 99% of my listings to show they are mine...to detour others from copying...HE STILL DOES IT!

Didnt there used to be a place to report a seller for stealing/using your stuff??? I work hard on my listings, even tho some will say otherwise...Its just how I do them...But for him just to come in and grab my stuff as his own is not right in my book...plus he is a terrible seller with lousy reviews...not sure if I can post the sellers ID, so I will blank it out for now in the screenshots...

Also, I had just sold that item and edited the auction just this morning, to the new picture, also shown below. There has to be something against 'ebay policy' for what he is doing. He is ALSO using my stuff on at least 7-8 of his other listings...all my pictures, etc...I can get screenshots...there are PLENTY...lol

[klhmdg]

@a_c_green  Thank you! I didnt try to buy but tried to add to cart.

You learn something new everyday!

Thank you again!

[powell-memorabilia]

Yikes – I did not mean to touch a nerve. Is there a new policy that we aren’t allowed to question mentors?  

[goldxxxsilver]

That Settles that Discussion  👍

[jbbowers12012]

BLOCK - BLOCK - BLOCK..........Jus' sayin'.

[humminbird-heaven]

Seriously?...He's a COMPETITOR, Really???????...Selling the EXACT same thing...Using My EXACT listing and picture...so when a buyer sees his 'stuff', they may actually think they are buying from me...or at the least, he is taking away possible buyers of my stuff...he frequently does it and lowers the price lower than me by a few dollars...Nah, no affect on me...lmao

[a_c_green]

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@klhmdg wrote:

@a_c_green  Thank you! I didn't try to buy but tried to add to cart.

You learn something new everyday!

Thank you again!

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You're welcome! (and you are off my BBL again 😁)

[humminbird-heaven]

This is the reason I dont come in here for help that often...

Here, I will share the 'word' again for the slow learners...

Happy Memorial Day weekend! 🙏

[fbusoni · Accepted solution]

@humminbird-heaven 

Sir: while one could attribute this plagiarism to simple rudeness, I think that it reflects the complete and utter collapse of boundaries that is the logical outcome of our collective immersion in the toxic world of social media.  The boundaries between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and fiction have grown quite blurred.  We see it in our politics, in our social currents, in the conduct of a growing number of our fellow Americans.

And of course eBay does not prohibit it.  eBay wants to stay au courant.   Never mind that eBay leadership all grew up on the internet.

As for the person copying your materials... remember what they say, imitation in the sincerest form of flattery.

[powell-memorabilia]

He is selling the same thing - that won’t change if he uses his own pictures.  I really don’t see the harm to you, as annoying as it might be for someone to leverage the work you have put into your listings.

[a_c_green]

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@humminbird-heaven wrote:

I've been dealing with this seller for quite some time now...many years now...about over it...He sells the same type items as me...He continually steals my listing pictures, titles, descriptions, WORD for WORD....doesnt even attempt to change anything or to hide it...I even use sticky notes on 99% of my listings to show they are mine...to detour others from copying...HE STILL DOES IT!

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I get that your PostIt note on the screen is intended to reiterate that the listing is for the head unit only, but I don't think you need to repeat the rest of the details about model number and the fact that it's new, since the title and description are already showing that. Instead, I would limit that note to stating that it's for the head only, as that's a critical point... and then put your seller ID on the bottom of the note. You're not conveying any information that's not already in the listing, but you'll discourage your competitor from using your photos.

[ebooksdiva]

So? eBays policy says.......

" 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." 

Anyone can use your images and text for their eBay listing, you can ask them to stop using them but they are not obligated to.

[humminbird-heaven]

I like the way you think...I dont think its rudeness...just more entitlement...lazy people who dont care...I'm sure its never crossed his mind, as to what he is doing is right or wrong...no matter what the 'policy' is...to some its ONLY about the 'rules'...or 'policies'...what happened to doing 'what's right' for a change???

"Do unto others.............."

[gamersbaystore]

Part of the problem in dealing with stolen images here is the fact that ebay's policies explicitly state they can use your images however they like.

On the other hand, you still have legal rights regarding your images, but you need to follow legal processes if you want those images removed.

If you file a DMCA take down notice to ebay regarding the stolen images, they legally have to remove them. If they should refuse, they are violating the laws surrounding DMCA, and you would have the right to take legal action against both the seller and ebay holding them responsible for monetary damages.

A DMCA notice is a legal notice, and you dont need a lawyer to initiate it. Just look it up in Google search, theres plenty of sites that explain what you need to do and how the process works.

[kiss-3]

I am currently dealing with the same issue you described here. Surely this practice hurts all sellers when a buyer does not receive the item you described. The seller who is copying my photos, descriptions, title etc. just made an offer to sell to me, my own items. It is ridiculous!

[susanb1872]

If you want it to show a lower price, change the shipping option to Ground Advantage instead of the Priority Mail. At least your item says "New(other)" while the copycat says "New".  Maybe that will come back to bite them.