eBay Photo Policy

[phrench_beauty]

Hello,

Thanks for reading this and sharing your experience.  My competition uses water marks / logos / “free shipping and returns” / artwork/ even photos from the manufacturer website in one case.  I know this seller is not a VERO owner.  I have contacted EBay about it and the customer service didn’t seem

to have a problem with the user violating the photo policy.  They actually said it’s “totally fine” in an email.  I don’t understand...  it gives this seller a huge edge over the competition but I’m afraid to do it because it clearly states in the rules it’s a violation.  Can I get some clarification??  Maybe some

personal experience?  Thanks!!

[penguins_dont_fly]

@phrench_beauty 

If the seller has an agreement with a supplier to sell new items (dropship or wholesale), then those agreements usually allow the seller to  use the manufacturer's pictures.

Stock photos are allowed on NEW merchandise, if you have the permission of the manufacturer.

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/verified-rights-owner-program.html

What is not allowed is stock photos on USED items, unlicensed use of pictures and text or other artwork on photos:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/picture-policy?id=4370

If you KNOW that the seller does not have permission to use the artwork (how would you know that?) then you can report the listing  to the owner of the artwork (including photographs).  The owner of the artwork is the entity that must contact eBay through the VeRO program.

(I see stock photos on some of your listings ... do you have permission to use those?)

You can also report the listings for text, borders and artwork on the pictures.

Use the "Report" link that is on every listing.

In a regular browser, the link is directly above the description box on the right

In the app, scroll almost all the way down.

The proper reporting option is:

Listing Practices

Search and Browse Manipulation

Other Search and Browse Manipulation

In the text box "Picture Policy: Text or Artwork on Photos"

[farmalljr]

Using stock photos IS acceptable on a brand new item.  Matter of fact, eBay's catalog has lots of stock photos. 

Good photos is an integral part of being a successful seller here. If you take terrible pictures, your sales will be the same. Learning to take good pictures isn't a hard skill to learn, and the equipment to do it is pretty minimal and doesn't need to cost a lot.

[phrench_beauty]

My understanding is that stock photos are allowed as long as they are taken from another sellers listing (and they don't violate the photo policy).  I try to do a combo of stock photo and my own photos.  

It's also my understanding that eBay doesn't want sellers using text and watermarks because it makes the item unable to list to search engines , others cannot use the stock photo, and it gives ownership rights- or, whatever the reason, its not allowed. 

[luckythewinner]

---

@phrench_beauty wrote:

Can I get some clarification?

---

eBay policy enforcement has never been uniform, complete, accurate or timely. 

Here is what the policy says: 

"Activity that doesn't follow eBay policy could result in a range of actions including for example: administratively ending or canceling listings, hiding or demoting all listings from search results, lowering seller rating, buying or selling restrictions, and account suspension."

"Could" does not mean "will". 

[penguins_dont_fly]

---

@phrench_beauty wrote:

My understanding is that stock photos are allowed as long as they are taken from another sellers listing (and they don't violate the photo policy).  I try to do a combo of stock photo and my own photos.  

It's also my understanding that eBay doesn't want sellers using text and watermarks because it makes the item unable to list to search engines , others cannot use the stock photo, and it gives ownership rights- or, whatever the reason, its not allowed. 

---

That is a slippery slope.  You cannot assume that another seller has the rights to use that picture.

If you are not using the catalog to list, you cannot assume that the pictures don't violate policy.

If you are using the catalog, then it is acceptable to use the CATALOG pictures.

https://www.ebay.com/help/listings/creating-managing-listings/listing-item-product-details-catalog?i...

As lucky said, policy enforcement has never been evenly applied.  Some listings trigger the policy bots, some don't.  Some get reported (and acted upon), others don't.

Some rights owners are more vigilant about VeRO, keeping up with the listings regularly ... some just sometimes use the nuclear option every once in a while.

Your best bet is to keep your own house clean ... and not worry about what others are doing.

You can take "catalog worthy" pictures with a simple set up and know-how.

[phrench_beauty]

Thanks for the tips.  I am doing my best to keep my own house clean, and I want to be sure I am following photo policy.  I would think you could understand why I worry about what others doing though.  If there is a policy it should be evenly applied, if it gives a seller an advantage over others- everyone should be allowed and it shouldn't be a policy.  Or if there is some middle ground, I would like to know what it is.  

[mrdutch1001]

unless there is evidence/proof of policy violation, it is not concerning...

and why worry about the competition?

As to watermarks, although eBay has in past implied that water marked photos are unacceptable, I believe they recanted that quite some time ago... and I do believe sellers should have the freedom to watermark their photos if they so choose...

[fashunu4eeuh]

---

@mrdutch1001 wrote:

unless there is evidence/proof of policy violation, it is not concerning...

and why worry about the competition?

As to watermarks, although eBay has in past implied that water marked photos are unacceptable, I believe they recanted that quite some time ago... and I do believe sellers should have the freedom to watermark their photos if they so choose...

---

Hi, no watermarks are not allowed anymore. Here is the policy:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/picture-policy?id=4370

“The following are not allowed:

• Photos that don't accurately represent the item
• Placeholder images used to convey messages
• Stock photos for used, damaged, or defective items
• Photos with added borders
• Photos with added text, artwork or marketing material
• Watermarks of any type, including those used for ownership attributions”

[ra_201044]

---

@fashunu4eeuh wrote:

---

@mrdutch1001 wrote:

unless there is evidence/proof of policy violation, it is not concerning...

and why worry about the competition?

As to watermarks, although eBay has in past implied that water marked photos are unacceptable, I believe they recanted that quite some time ago... and I do believe sellers should have the freedom to watermark their photos if they so choose...

---

Hi, no watermarks are not allowed anymore. Here is the policy:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/picture-policy?id=4370

“The following are not allowed:

• Photos that don't accurately represent the item
• Placeholder images used to convey messages
• Stock photos for used, damaged, or defective items
• Photos with added borders
• Photos with added text, artwork or marketing material
• Watermarks of any type, including those used for ownership attributions”

---

Which is why we are seeing more of the slips of paper in the photos with the user ID and other info on it.

[offworldholdings]

I found a seller using two of my watermarked photos in their listing. They stole my design AND used my photos to sell the stolen design. Reported it twice to eBay only to find out AI was trusted to determine the case: "We looked into your report and didn’t find the listing to be in violation of our policy. This determination was made using automation or artificial intelligence."

So forget ever getting a live person to solve problems like this.

Guess I'll feel free to use other seller's photos since eBay doesn't seem to care.

[offworldholdings]

I watermark photos but it does little good when eBay doesn't make the violator remove my watermarked photos from their listing of a design they stole from me.

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.