Someone Copied My Listing Word for Word and Listing Photo That I Took Myself

[probuiltpcs]

Is it against any eBay policy if someone makes an exact copy of your listing? I build custom PC's, and someone took my title, took my exact description and it's formatting, and even took my listing picture, which I believe would technically be my own property since I took it... I could understand if this was a specific item and I was using a stock photo, but this is a custom made item with my own picture. I looked through the reporting menu and really couldn't find an option that seemed right to me. Is there anything I am able to do about it? Either way, later today I will be changing up my description and changing my pictures, as well as watermarking my pictures.

Thanks

[rainbowcolorz]

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@cubano4u wrote:

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@rainbowcolorz wrote:

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Wow ... yes, I guess I might also be flattered if someone copied my photos and description but ... if it really bothered me, if I didn't like something about the situation, I might consider changing a few photos around, adding one more if I didn't have them all used up or something just to show it's different from the other person's.    Unless they had a lot of the same items I was selling ... then that could be tedious.  

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Yes, thank you for your reply. Apparently I've started to become known for my photos of these dolls mainly because of the way I pose them, my backdrop, and my use of furniture. I say that based on responses I've gotten from my other buyers. So it would bother me if someone presumed a listing was one of mine because they used my photos and wording. Otherwise I wouldn't care, but I don't want someone purchasing items thinking they are buying from me when it's a completely different seller.

People do not pay attention to the seller's ID anymore. I've had people buy from me and later message me that they didn't realize they were buying from the person who posts the photos with the furniture, etc. Makes me laugh that something I do for fun has taken on so. 

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I took a peek at your listings.  Your photos are very nice and I do like the way you pose your dolls.   The only problem I can see is, the possibility that someone who (as you said) didn't read the listing or notice the seller's ID, buys a doll from someone else, thinking it is your doll and that other seller has not packed the doll properly or has some other complaint.  Especially if the buyer has also purchased from you before, they *might* think this one is from you when it's not. 

If you cannot do anything about those photos (and I hope you can and they remove them from their listings) you may just have to cross whatever bridge you come to, when/if anything bad happens.  

Wishing you the best of luck.  

[thekozz7]

Oooh, I have a juicy story about this! But first, I'm sorry this happened to you. And sadly, eBay really won't do anything about it. There used to be an option to report this, but it disappeared. I just checked all the options listed when you click the "report item" link on a listing page and there's no longer a way to report that a seller has copied your listing, photos and all. Even though there's a policy against this, I guess it's just too widespread for them to spend any time dealing with it.

OK, story time: Several years ago a buyer purchased a pair of designer earrings from me. They were signed and worth good money, but I was new and was only selling them for about $38. So she got a deal.

Well, she left positive feedback but she dinged my stars, giving me 1 star for "Item as described." I couldn't understand this as I give very thorough descriptions of all my items, flaws and all if any. Just look at my current listings for proof of that.

A few weeks later I was searching the listings for the same designer and I spotted the earrings. And it was my photo! So I clicked on the link to find that nearly all the photos were mine AND she used my description word for word. Wait a minute, she dinged my stars for "item not as described" but then uses my exact same description? Chick was wacked.

So I hit the "report item" link and stated that she had copied my listing. Then I called eBay and told them about that and the star dinging. The rep said she'd put in a request or whatever. I even wrote a note to the seller and asked her to remove my pics and description. But nothing happened. The listing remained. She got away with her abhorrent behavior.

But here's the good part, so get ready for a big serving of schadenfreude: She was selling the earrings for $95. But as time went by, she kept lowering the price: $75, $45, then $25. She finally sold them for just $15. Lol, karma is a b*tch and that's what you get when you lie and cheat.

[computeraidllc]

There is a Vero form the seller can use to have it taken down. It is against copyright laws to use someone else photos or wording without permission. I have ran into this before and sending in a Vero request will cause an automatic takedown. The other party could file a counter which means the person filing out the original Vero request will have to go into Federal court to uphold it.

[computeraidllc]

I have ran into this myself. I send a Vero takedown for someone copying my images because if someone doesn't look at who they are buying from they will think it is actually me that sold it to them.

[div_style]

Another story:  Years ago when I had photos hosted on another website, another seller hot-linked to some of my photos.  After I saw that, I replaced the photos with something, umm, inappropriate.   Had a few laughs about that as those photos remained on that seller's listings for several days.

[kateinthe26th]

I feel for you, I really do.

Taking pictures of a bunch of items /cropping/ turning them the right way up and uploading to ebay can take all afternoon and I have seen my pictures used by other sellers A LOT over the years.

It is annoying because why should i spend all my day doing the leg work for someone else to spend 10 seconds copying them. The replies I got to messages were that they were stock photos given to them by wholesalers and manufacturers ...ummm, NO these were my images I took as I didn't feel the stock image was up to snuff or was too small / bad quality to be uploaded to  ebay.

Speaking from experience if I add a watermark, I add it in the middle of the picture not the edge as someone can easily crop the edge/side once they have copied it

Good luck

[fashunu4eeuh]

@thekozz7 wrote:

“... There used to be an option to report this, but it disappeared. I just checked all the options listed when you click the "report item" link on a listing page and there's no longer a way to report that a seller has copied your listing, photos and all. Even though there's a policy against this, I guess it's just too widespread for them to spend any time dealing with it...”

Hi, there is still a method to report unauthorized use of your text and images. It can be done thru the policy page or from the listing using the Report This Item link. Below is a screen shot of which options to use when selecting the violation choices eBay gives in the drop-downs.

What actions eBay takes is another discussion, but there are methods to report the infringement.

[7606dennis]

Since eBay decided to grant themselves the non-exclusive rights to any material uploaded to the site, they can make that material available through their catalog for other sellers to use.  So there probably isn't anything that you can do about it.

You might be able to sue someone that uses your work on another site for copyright infringement. 

[thekozz7]

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@div_style wrote:

Another story:  Years ago when I had photos hosted on another website, another seller hot-linked to some of my photos.  After I saw that, I replaced the photos with something, umm, inappropriate.   Had a few laughs about that as those photos remained on that seller's listings for several days.

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LOVE this idea! Can this be done here on eBay? (Asking for a friend.)

[thekozz7]

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@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

Hi, there is still a method to report unauthorized use of your text and images. It can be done thru the policy page or from the listing using the Report This Item link. Below is a screen shot of which options to use when selecting the violation choices eBay gives in the drop-downs.

What actions eBay takes is another discussion, but there are methods to report the infringement.

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Thank you for posting this! I did see that, but I thought that VeRO was only for big companies like Tiffany or Nike. I had no idea us small sellers could utilize it. There are so many good answers on this thread, thank you!

[vintagecraze50]

Yes it does usually work. It is annoying when others copy peoples work, especially if you have spent three hours on each picture to present your item well. They need to do the work themselves.

[vintagecraze50]

Also, it makes me wonder sometimes if these folks really do have the item and they are pulling a scam by using your photos.

[drusalina]

There is one seller on eBay that is still using my photo of some cosmetic bags. They erased my copyright on the bottom of the page.  And years ago, another internet seller was copying my pictures and selling them on their site.  I now use watermarks and my background fabric so it is difficult for them to copy.  My photos and my Text are my property.

[awesome-altered-apparel]

Tea kettle man!
😄

[rainbowcolorz]

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@div_style wrote:

Another story:  Years ago when I had photos hosted on another website, another seller hot-linked to some of my photos.  After I saw that, I replaced the photos with something, umm, inappropriate.   Had a few laughs about that as those photos remained on that seller's listings for several days.

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lol.  I was wondering if anyone would ever do that.  So, what IF someone saw your, umm, inappropriate photo *right away and then reported you?  Whatamess!!