posted on June 26, 2004 01:31:09 PM new
While researching one of my items to see what price others had it listed for I found a seller who is using my picture. In not one but 7 auctions. She was smart enough to save it to her hard drive, but the picture is watermarked with my logo.
That is what really ticks me off. That logo is truly mine. It came from my heart. I thought of it while sitting with my Grandmother in the nursing home and I scraped up money that I couldn't afford to have someone make the graphic for me. I work very hard to make my auctions ME. So that when a customer opens one they know it's one of mine without even looking at my seller name. Now, here comes some lazy idiot, uses my logo, and cuts the price so low I'm not selling many and there's no way she can make any money.
eBay is not a hobby for me. For the last two years, I have used it as a second job to pay bills. Last Monday, I was laid off at work, so now it is my only income.
I have reported all the auctions to eBay. But it make take them 2 or 3 days to close them. In the meantime, this thief is using my logo to hurt my business. Should I e-mail her before eBay does. Or should I wait? Can I charge her a fee?
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on June 26, 2004 01:52:50 PM new
HMM... Are you sure she didn't link to your picture server? If she did, it would be real funny to put something nasty in place of that picture temporarily, naming it the same as the original.
Meaning, you upload a replacement picture to your picture service with the same name as the stolen one had, but make it a messgae that says, "I steal pictures form other people's auctions". I have seent that done with pictures of goofy monkies. Make sure you revsie and link your own acutions to a new copy of the correct picture with a different name, though!
If she has it hosted elsewhere, an email from you saying firmly that the picture and logo are yours and that you have reported her to Ebay for listing violations. Tell her that it is a theft of copyright.
Hey, I created a background from scratch and found it in another seller's auctions. I have had another seller use my fabric pictures as well when I was selling yard goods. At the time, I winding down sales and let it go. But I was pi$$ed
posted on June 26, 2004 02:12:45 PM new
That was the first thing I checked. I so wanted it to be my server. I was so mad I even considered the porn pics like someone else used a couple of weeks back. This is the URL http://i12.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/05/bf/39_1.JPG It has the camera down in the corner.
I intend to e-mail her, but thought I should let wait until eBay ends them. To make it clear that eBay agrees with me. But on the other hand, I don't want her to sell any more.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on June 26, 2004 02:45:00 PM new
I reported all 7 auctions. The watermark is my logo, which is legally mine. It overlaps the item, so it can not be removed. The logo is also on my ME page. It is also very unique.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on June 26, 2004 03:23:19 PM new
I don't see anything wrong with you e-mailing her to let her know that you are aware she is using your logo, especially if you feel it's affecting your business. If you inform her that the image is copyrighted she may stop using it. You could also include the ebay link to the rules on image theft so she can read them.
It's the weekend so it's uncertain how long ebay will take before they do anything about it. I remember that ebay used to advise that you contact the other seller but it's been awhile since this happened to me so perhaps someone else is more familiar with the procedure now.
posted on June 26, 2004 04:36:52 PM new
Don't e-mail her. Wait. Ebay will pull the auctions. Be patient. I have had this happen more than once and ebay always ends the auctions. You know, I wouldn't mind it if the people would e-mail me first and ASK if they can use my images. If I'm not running an auction with those pictures at the moment, I would say "yes". I would even help them with their listing! It's when they "steal" the images that really upsets me. I had someone copy my entire listing, title and pictures verbatim. I contacted ebay, and then contact the person saying that I reported them. When they played stupid, I showed them a link to the one they copied. Of course, I never heard from them again.
posted on June 26, 2004 09:50:39 PM new
Say nuttin' to the theif,,e bay WILL down those auctions...they very well know what they are doing. poof! Then keep yer @y@es on them.
posted on June 26, 2004 10:03:36 PM new
Following is the url for eBays view on Description and Image stealing. It's up to you if you want to wait. Sometimes eBay is fast and other times slow. Do what you feel is right.
posted on June 26, 2004 10:04:00 PM new
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER just let it slide,,,,,I did over a year ago. I thought ah,,,,whatever, Then ANOTHER seller did it too.....Wait a friggin' minute......one theif is enough! the second one was a ONE Time shot seller ,,re selling what they did not want anymore,,,,wrong size , etc. Have a nice day..
The first theif,,,,I e mailed HEY,,,,,,you are using my ENTIRE auction text...Cancell those auctions within 24 hours.
We are NOT and DO NOT ever bother us again! We will be contacting our Attorney if you bother us with anymore false aligations or disrupt our auctions in anyway.
Well I went right to e bay. Problem is,,,,,I changed my same auction text as I got better at my descriptions.
Now I can't send them MY auction proving such. I can't find one from way back then...SCUM! Search line and text! word for word.....and they are sailing right along listing MY auction.........
posted on June 27, 2004 08:45:05 AM new
Gtootie - did they ever end the auctions? I saw yours .. and a multitude of other Yellow Ribbons - but not the one stolen. With allll the other ribbons pics out there available, it makes NO SENSE why the other seller would steal one with a watermark on it.
posted on June 27, 2004 09:23:12 AM new
eBay has not ended the auctions. I was about to have a stroke over the whole thing and knew eBay wouldn't do anything before Monday. So, I went ahead and e-mailed her. Let her have it with both barrels. She went in and changed the picture, but you can still see mine in the gallery pic. Sometimes it will take a while for them to change.
I searched her sells and she has been using my pic for about two weeks. Looking at some of her other pics, I think she stole them too.
And get this, she is in the Air Force. I asked her if her commanding officer knew what she was doing. I'm hoping she is so stupid, I can scare the crap out of her.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
[ edited by Gtootie on Jun 27, 2004 09:37 AM ]
posted on June 27, 2004 09:35:38 AM new
I realize I may be over reacting to this. But, I bought and paid for a good scanner and digital camera in order to put pictures in my auctions. The only pictures I use that aren't mine are the ones provided by my wholesaler for that purpose. I did the research. I took the time and made the effort to learn eBay and Vendio. I have worked very hard at this. I expect other sellers who want to make the money to put in the effort also.
I really don't care that much about the picture. It's the logo. Buyers could believe that I'm selling under a different ID. You screw up and it could hurt my reputation. I have worked very hard to build my business and I don't intend to stand aside and let someone else ruin it.
That logo came from my heart. It came from a dream I have had for many years. It is what I am about, what I believe and what I want for the future. That logo represents the only thing that I am truly passionate about. I WILL NOT let anybody else take that from me.
I am stepping down from my soap box now. Thank you for listening.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on June 27, 2004 01:53:25 PM new
Gtootie -- You are 100% correct. That is exactly how I feel. Make sure that ebay still follows up. She will be given a warning even if the auctions end. I suspect everybody is at ebay live this weekend.
