Someone has plagiarized my text and photos and eBay is refusing to help me...

[goldstaroffers]

I have called eBay six times so far. I have talked to one supervisor. I have talked to the Trust and Safety department probably five times. The last person I talked to filed a new claim. Nothing has changed. It's been five weeks now. This guy has taken over $3000 in sales using my ad copy. Why won't anyone help me?

For the love of God, can someone at eBay please help me?

Thank you.

-Scott

[slippinjimmy]

Your "ad copy" is just that, a bunch of stock images from the manufacturer with a small blurb at the bottom.

[toysaver]

Images, videos and text policy | eBay

"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 give eBay the right to do such when you sell.  They basically own the copyrights not you.  The only way to avoid this is to have your own website and go solo.

[joseh1445]

People have use my description, my text.  What I do?  Nothing.  When people try to cut corners, they get the same results.  Meaning, when people try to cut corners.  They will get the same results.  They will make some money, but the money will drip up.  

Good luck on your selling journey.

[lakefor94]

You have been wasting your time and eBay's time. No one at eBay has actually filed a "claim" in your behalf.

Scenarios like this repeated contacting of eBay to report a seller that is NOT violating policy is one of the main reasons eBay Does not provide direct phone access for members anymore.

Would have been a lot quicker to ask your questions here concerning photos and descriptions.

Best of luck with sales moving forward.

[pickermall]

@goldstaroffers 

Did you take the pictures of the 8 items you have listed? They look like stock photos and the item descriptions (at least in part) appear to be stock descriptions. Maybe that's why another seller used what you used?

[natoman777]

Sorry, but they won't help you.  I have had people use my photos before for their listing.  As others have said this is eBay policy, you are giving up your rights to what you post on eBay. 

[goldstaroffers]

Lol. Federal law overrules ebay's policy. You can't make up the law. I'm not mad at you, I appreciate the response, but that is beyond messed up. ROFL.

[goldstaroffers]

Thanks. It's like, I went to college, took my English classes, took my Intro to Ethics, learned how to speak, persuade, communicate... then someone  comes along and just steals my work. 

[goldstaroffers]

The guy is breaking the law. I have also filed multiple claims. I have no idea what you are talking about.

[goldstaroffers]

I edit my stock photos. Yes, some are unedited. I don't care about those. The 2nd photo on my PVS14 listing is mine. I edited it. He has no right to use it. The guy can't code, so he uses ebay's templates for his product listings. He couldn't find a template for the PVS14, so he decided to use parts of my ad copy. I got mad at him, so he took down a few photos. He thinks he has the right to pick and choose what he want's from my listing. 

[goldstaroffers]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I have to hire an attorney. Thanks ebay! 

[pickermall]

I'm sorry you're upset over this... no one needs to do code on Ebay with it's WYSIWYG layout (thank goodness)

As mentioned, everything belongs to Ebay, as far as the listings and photos. I'm still confused why it's ok for you to use stock photos, but someone else can't use the stock photos you are using. Maybe they got those stock photos from the same place you did? No idea. I take all photos for my listings myself with items I have in hand, so don't know how the stock photo thing works...

As far as the descriptions, yeah, they should have adjusted for their listing.

And, unfortunately, this isn't Ebay customer service or tech support... just a bunch of Ebayers trying to help each other out, since REAL Ebay CS doesn't seem to exist any longer.

Sorry this is frustrating you so much.

[aproudparent2010]

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@goldstaroffers wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I guess I have to hire an  attorney. Thanks ebay! 

---

Make sure the attorney reads the User Agreement you agreed to when you signed up for eBay.

[aeparts1]

Make it harder for someone to steal your  work. Don't  use stock pictures.  Take your own pictures, include a card with your business name in every picture you take.

When you write text, include your seller name in the listing.  "goldstaroffers is proud to offer this XYZ for sale. This XYZ offered by goldstaroffers features ABC." Use your name throughout the listing, makes it harder for the lazy seller to steal your text.

eBay isn't going to help you, you have to help yourself.