laciimalls.top copyright infringement

[ima.seller]

A website is directly using my ebay image to sell product.  I believe this to be copyright infringement.  Who can I contact at eBay to stop this?

https://www.laciimalls.top/lutron-vwp4bra-annodized-brass-plate-with-buttons-free-shipping-p-10917.h...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292214389937

[a_c_green]

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@readabouthorses wrote:

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@ima.seller wrote:

The website hasn't copied my image.  Their web pages are linking my image on ebay.

They are using an ebay image to sell an item on their website.

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Yours isn't the only one. I looked at a few more of their listings and when I checked the source for the images they were all coming from eBay.

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IMHO, that's really a distinction without a difference; you, they or I could pull down a local copy of any image at a moment's notice, but it would still be using your photos without your permission.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but you can still use third-party hosting for images in listings on eBay, too; yes? That's basically the same process in the opposite direction, the difference being that they are your photos that you're using for your own purposes, regardless of where they reside.

I don't see how eBay could really help you here. The only contacts with the power to rein in the rogue website would be whoever's hosting it.

P.S. Are these dropshipping items that the rogue site can actually deliver, using your photos to show the item(s), or are they just scammers who could not deliver your item(s) because they're vintage or one of a kind? Is it possible that they may buy your item from you once it sells on their site? (If so, be prepared to jack up your price at a moment's notice. )

[mikeystoyz]

If they are linking, put a picture of dog poop or something there.  When people used to link to my pictures on ebay I would do that.  Was always a hoot.  Make sure you change your link first.

[lacemaker3]

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@ima.seller wrote:

The website hasn't copied my image.  Their web pages are linking my image on ebay.

They are using an ebay image to sell an item on their website.

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I un derstand what you are saying, but it really doesn't change the situation. eBay can't monitor all of the hundreds of thousands or more pictures they have on their website to detect bandwidth theft.

Your main options are to contact the website and aska them to stop (which they might ignore) or contact a lawyer to send a cease and desist letter.

Alternatively, you can change your photos on the eBay website. Your photos look like stock photos, or professional photos. I would recommend using a more distinctive background for your photos, to make them appear more distinctive. One seller I know photographs their items on a counter or table, with a distinctive wallpaper visible on the wall behind the item. Their photos will never be stolen, and collectors can always identify items from this well-known and regarded seller.

eBay doesn't allow watermarks on photos, but the last I heard, they were not enforcing this policy. I think it is because it is impossible to detect watermarks, depending on how they are done.

[a_c_green]

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@mikeystoyz wrote:

If they are linking, put a picture of dog poop or something there.  When people used to link to my pictures on ebay I would do that.  Was always a hoot.  Make sure you change your link first.

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I was going to suggest that, but wouldn't a replacement image go up under a different ID number? If they were coping images from your own site, then that would work because you could control the name of the image file that you're hosting (and which they're copying), but would the eBay link to the original image stay the same when the replacement was uploaded?

[7606dennis]

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@ima.seller wrote:

The creator of an image is the copyright owner unless specifically transferred.

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Actually, that is not entirely correct.  The copyright is owned by the person or entity that caused it to be created, as is the case of work done for hire.  Might I suggest a visit to the US Copyright Office.

Of course, eBay has seen fit to grant themselves non-exclusive rights to use any material that members post to the site.  This allows them to include things in their catalog scheme.  However, if the copyrighted work was actually uploaded to eBay illegally, without the consent of the real copyright owner, there could be grounds for action against the infringing parties.  Thus using a photo from a manufacturer's web site without their express written permission and uploading it to eBay could be something of a sticky wicket.

[luckythewinner]

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@ima.seller wrote:

A website is directly using my ebay image to sell product.  I believe this to be copyright infringement.  Who can I contact at eBay to stop this?

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If the image is being used improperly on a website, you need to contact that website. 

[a*river*runs*through*it]

Try emailing them here: https://www.laciimalls.top/contact_us.html

[18704d]

Do a Google search for:     .top website

You'll find some interesting results which apply to your situation.

Lynn

[a*river*runs*through*it]

From their website:

Copyright

Unless otherwise noted,No trademark or service mark license is granted in connection with the materials contained on this Site.Access to this Site does not authorize anyone to use any name,logo or mark in any manner.All other trademarks not owned by this website or its subsidiaries that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners,who may or may not be affiliated with,connected to,or sponsored by Our Oakley Sunglasses Store or its subsidiaries. All content included on this site,such as text,graphics,logos,button icons,images is the property of this site or its content suppliers and protected by international copyright laws.

[ima.seller]

The website isn't pulling images from ebay.  The webpage is telling the web browser to pull images from ebay to display on the page.  There is a big difference between the two cases.

Ebay can absolutely block the image request based on the originator tag in the browser's request.  Ebay knows that the page requesting the image is from laciimall.top.  It is a cross-domain request.

[scalemotorcars]

Watermark them with your seller ID or your website if you have one. It will stop real fast.  I do it on the stuff I produce myself. If they still use them then at least it points back to your items.