Copyright infringement accusation on my ebay listing... Please help!

campdave

I'd urge caution on the "just ignoring it" front. if they really are the copyright holders, they could register with ebay's VeRo system and have your listing pulled and earn you a policy strike.

bxboards

campdave wrote: »

I'd urge caution on the "just ignoring it" front. if they really are the copyright holders, they could register with ebay's VeRo system and have your listing pulled and earn you a policy strike.

You can't copyright this sort of thing.

This isn't a breach of copyright. Nothing has been copied.

If there were Vero holders, then Ebay would remove these directly and the seller wouldn't be receiving such incompetent e-mails.

These people are simply trying to bully the person into removing the listing - if someone wrote that sort of nonsense to me, I'd insist they sent a letter so I'd have a business name, a contact and address to deal with this.

They are just trying it on. I'd ignore it, or push back, but I wouldn't be cowed into removing a listing for a completely spurious 'copyright' claim - it's total nonsense.

Tunstallstoven

They're back again with another email. This time it says:

"It is disappointing that you seem to hold no regard for the law and refused to inform us of where you acquired our product. we need to know what shop in Notting hill? and a receipt of purchase. What is the lot number on the cartridge? Please give this your most urgent attention."

I know (I think!) I should be ignoring it.... But they keep trying....

Kingsd316

Maybe they think it is stolen?

Tunstallstoven

Perhaps... Strangely though, this is the first time they have asked "where did you get it from". The other emails were only concerned with copyright breach in the advert as far as I can tell.

bingo_bango

You can't 'copyright' a logo. It would only be a design (registered or unregistered) or 2. a trademark (not covered under CDPA, but possibly under Trademarks Act).

Brand name - again could only be a trademark and not covered under CDPA.

Images - If that is your own photo in the listing, then you own the copyright in it, and no-one anywhere can tell you to do anything with it.

Links to their website. You have already received the correct advice on that aspect.

Where did you get it from? None of their business. Tell them to take a long walk off a short pier.

If I was you, I'd consider reporting them to local plod for harrassment (purely for the entertainment value :cool:) but do take into account whether you want to waste some local officer's time with this, as it will create a mountain of work for what is essentially a civil issue.

forgotmyname

Tell then you swapped them for some magic beans. Would they like some magic beans.

You own the copyright to the listing because you took the photo of your own goods. If they are the sellers or manufacturers they should know that after selling the goods they no longer own them. The goods are yours to do as you please.

Suggest they pass their complaint onto their own legal team who will tell them they have no claim on your goods and have not breached any copyright.

verybigchris

The sort of company that searches eBay and makes dubious copyright claims might also be the sort of company that searches for itself on web forums.

:wave::wave:

Sasahara2

I'd warn them not to be tempted to use your professionally taken photo, as tempting as it is, as that would be a 'copyright' infringment.

And suggest they read up on the differences between Copyright, trademarks & patents.

http://www.obscure.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/copyright-trademarks-patents/

King_Nothing

Ask them if they want to buy back their old stock, say you'll do them a good deal