eBay

probuiltpcs · ‎01-19-2019

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

tamaralea · ‎01-19-2019

I have had good luck contacting the copycats. "Your pictures and description are copied from my listing. Please change it immediately or I will report it to eBay." To be honest, I don't know if eBay would do anything, but this usually works.

probuiltpcs · ‎01-19-2019

Thanks for the response! I did now just send the seller asking them to at least use their own photo so the listing is not an exact copy of mine.

rainbowcolorz · ‎01-19-2019

@tamaralea wrote:
I have had good luck contacting the copycats. "Your pictures and description are copied from my listing. Please change it immediately or I will report it to eBay." To be honest, I don't know if eBay would do anything, but this usually works.

If someone clicks the tab on another sellers listing, that says Sell Similar .... does that copy the sellers item and photos word for word??

wrong66 · ‎01-19-2019

Ebay no longer cares about acts of plagiarism.

rainbowcolorz · ‎01-19-2019

I see there's no Sell Similar button ... but I did see "Have one to sell?" "Sell now" ... and when I clicked on one of the OP's listings, and clicked that tab the photos and description did not follow. So how would someone copy an identical photo belonging to another seller who took her OWN photos??

luckythewinner · ‎01-19-2019

@rainbowcolorz wrote:
I see there's no Sell Similar button ... but I did see "Have one to sell?" "Sell now" ... and when I clicked on one of the OP's listings, and clicked that tab the photos and description did not follow. So how would someone copy an identical photo belonging to another seller who took her OWN photos??

They would right-click on the photo and choose "Save As", just as they could do for almost any picture on almost page page on almost any side on the internet.

And if that fails, they could hit the "print screen" button and crop the photo out the screen image.

fashunu4eeuh · ‎01-19-2019

It is still against policy for another seller to take your text and images. You are right, they are your intellectual property. You can report them from the policy page, see link below.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/images-text-policy?id=4240

a*river*runs*through*it · ‎01-19-2019

@probuiltpcs

When I see a seller using my pictures or text, I send the seller this email which you are free to use:

"While I am flattered that you like my listing (pic or description) I did not give you permission to use it.

It is not only against Ebay's Image and Text Theft policy and reportable, but it is also against US Copyright law.

If you do not remove it ASAP, I will have no other choice but to report you to Ebay. If it is removed by Ebay, you will have a strike on your selling account.

Thanks."

Most sellers comply.

I give sellers about 10-12 hours, then I report them & call Ebay.

Make sure you block the offending seller ID ASAP.

probuiltpcs · ‎01-19-2019

Thank you everyone for all the help! I am going to give the seller until the end of the day to change their listing, and then I will get eBay involved. I have a feeling the seller won't change anything, especially since its a new account and they don't think anything bad can happen to them. I'll let everyone know how it plays out.

cubano4u · ‎01-19-2019

This has happened to me on two occasions. I sell doll clothing which I model on specific dolls. They are all vintage clothing original to these dolls. I take the photos myself using props in the background and furniture all original to these dolls. My backdrop is the same as well.
Twice I've found my photos on another listing and my text. Both times I messaged the seller asking them not to use my photos. The first seller immediately changed their listing and apologized. The second said they would but took their time doing so, if I recall correctly. I wasn't aware that I could report them.
Frankly I was actually somewhat pleased that my photos were considered good enough for someone to use them for themselves. My photos have even showed up in Pinterest for these particular dolls and clothing so I'm also flattered. I guess it's how you look at it so if it happens again I may or may not say anything. I'm taking a wait and see approach.

rainbowcolorz · ‎01-19-2019

@cubano4u wrote:
This has happened to me on two occasions. I sell doll clothing which I model on specific dolls. They are all vintage clothing original to these dolls. I take the photos myself using props in the background and furniture all original to these dolls. My backdrop is the same as well.
Twice I've found my photos on another listing and my text. Both times I messaged the seller asking them not to use my photos. The first seller immediately changed their listing and apologized. The second said they would but took their time doing so, if I recall correctly. I wasn't aware that I could report them.
Frankly I was actually somewhat pleased that my photos were considered good enough for someone to use them for themselves. My photos have even showed up in Pinterest for these particular dolls and clothing so I'm also flattered. I guess it's how you look at it so if it happens again I may or may not say anything. I'm taking a wait and see approach.

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.

eunster1313 · ‎01-19-2019

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Ebay-cracking-down-on-dropshippers/td-p/29401322

gopetersen · ‎01-19-2019

There's not much you can do about them copying your listing. Facts are not copyrightable, only original works are protected by copyright, but they have no legal right to use your photo. The copyright to the photo belongs to you at the moment of creation/publication and you don't have to register it, it's yours.

I strongly suggest watermarking your photos along the edge with name and date.

cubano4u · ‎01-19-2019

@rainbowcolorz wrote:

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.

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.