01-04-2020 07:03 PM
I was searching one of my items to relist it and stumbled upon another listing with MY photos! What can I do about this?
01-04-2020 07:06 PM
Nothing. EBay changed the rules awhile back. Anyone can use anyone’s pics - it makes the same user experience for buyers.
01-04-2020 07:17 PM
NOT A THING!!!
01-04-2020 07:25 PM
Yep, like the other posting, you just have to accept it. Stinks big time. With all the screwing we sellers have to take from eBay, isn't it sad that we also have to put up with fellow sellers swiping photos that we put all the work in to produce! Happened to me once & was just furious. A tiny ring that needed 100+ pics taken before getting 3 usable ones. Stolen in a blink & nothing I could do. Sorry you had this happen too. Fortunately, I don't think it happens all that often.
01-04-2020 07:33 PM
Are you using promoted listings? I ask this because I use the service and have found users using my pictures. The seller who I found doing this was at one time one of the long time sellers doing ebays consignment sales for model train items. I have bought from this seller in the past and know the seller has their own website. I constantly get emails directing me away from ebay to buy items directly from this seller. My guess is ebay is ignoring this activity because since ebay has started their own consignment sales / warehouse fulfillment services. They are allowing these past sellers who are anchor store subscribers and as part of their subscriptions they get information like buyer email addresses. My guess is they are allowing these individuals to promote items through the email lists they have built up and after the buyer buys the item from them they are placing the order using the buyers information and pocketing the add fee plus any overages on the shipping cost. Kind of like a pyramid scheme. I called ebay to report this and the rep was real shady about acknowledging that the seller was using my image which was clearly cropped and undoubtedly my image and not a stock image from the manufacture. The image clearly had the same back drop as in all my items. After reviewing the sellers other items there were a large number of items that the images clearly had been cropped and after searching the tittles it was quite easy to find the original listings. All of the items were about the same price with slightly higher shipping prices. I messaged the seller and called them out about using my picture and got some run around that their manager was out of town and would need to approve pulling the image and taking their own pictures of the item. I also have found the seller resisting items being sold over seas at higher prices using those listings pictures. He may just be using the buyer base he has built up to over charge buyers and place orders through other sellers. Most likely this is some scheme created by ebay that is being pushed at their seller meat and great pay to attend sessions and it is not likely you can do anything as ebay will just ignore it as they are making money regardless of who really is selling the item.
01-04-2020 07:38 PM - edited 01-04-2020 07:40 PM
@this*old*attic, @dabunk2000 , @moldy5
Thank you for the lesson!
In any case? Like in both of the two situations I'm asking about below?
@nonnaattic, is this an item you sold (to the seller) and they are flipping?
Or do you mean shots of your current listings (items in your possession)… just 'like' items from a random seller?
I'm without words....
01-04-2020 07:44 PM
It's happened to me before where someone stole my photo and used it on another selling platform. It absolutely sucks when you put in the work and others just feel like it's ok to do this. of course ebay is never interested in anything
01-04-2020 07:47 PM
01-04-2020 07:49 PM
01-04-2020 07:49 PM
01-04-2020 07:50 PM
01-04-2020 07:51 PM
01-04-2020 08:34 PM - edited 01-04-2020 08:36 PM
Using another's photos is inconsiderate, at best, so I understand how it might be frustrating.
On the other hand, I actually give my buyers full permission to use any/all photos I take of their item(s) for future use (e.g., if reselling, etc.), stated right in my listing. I figure if they bought the specific product, they have every right to them too. I feel it's misleading for a seller to use any for a duplicate listing of the same product--but, if the product remains in the same condition as when originally purchased, why not offer to save the buyer some time/hassle later on down the road if they appreciate the quality of those already taken? (Thank you)--I would hope they'd be considered a perk or added selling point, no matter how small the gesture..."free advertising' comes to mind (you're welcome). ; )
Stock photos are different, of course--in which case I note they are used for identification/reference only. AND, in defense of their use, we sellers know there are not nearly enough hours in the day sometimes. Enough said.
01-04-2020 11:15 PM
It was once a policy violation to steal another members pics or text. But it changed last year without announcement.
In the Images and Text policy, (see link below) eBay does reiterate that sellers should take their own pics and write their own copy, but then they say that everyone has given their permission for such to be part of eBay’s catalog. They also say that one should have the permission of the rights holder or creator to use the borrowed images if not included in the catalog.
If your photos are not in the catalog,
you still have the right to pursue a legal claim against the offender. Since this is often not financially feasible, you can at least contact them and request your intellectual property not be used. It is against the law to use someones intellectual property without their permission. You do not have to have an official filed copyright to be protected.
In the U.S., the IP rights-holder is responsible for civil enforcement of its rights. One can also report IP theft online through the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. The reporting form can be found in the link below, along with more information.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/images-text-policy?id=4240
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/intel1_e.htm
https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/UK-SME-IP-Toolkit_FINAL.pdf
01-05-2020 12:30 AM - edited 01-05-2020 12:34 AM
"I was searching one of my items to relist it and stumbled upon another listing with MY photos! What can I do about this?"
If you don't want other sellers using your images in the future just watermark your images!