Can I copy someone else's listing?

scottishchick27

If I am selling a book on ebay can I copy the description that someone else has written and paste it into my own listing. I use my own photos. Not sure if it's OK.

soolin

scottishchick27 wrote:

If I am selling a book on ebay can I copy the description that someone else has written and paste it into my own listing. I use my own photos. Not sure if it's OK.

No you cannot use someone elses exact listing, there is a seperate reporting mechanism on the ebay help pages that the other seller can use to report you.

Just use the same information if appropriate but present the information differently or in your own words.

Soo

Shugster

Are you planning to do a html listing, or just plain text?

angelcake

I wouldn't mind someone using my listing if they ask me and use it after my item had sold....so why don't you ask the seller?? There is nothing more annoying then people stealing your listing!!!

Spinner

Copying someone's listing seems to be something that eBay actually takes seriously. Someone once bought an item from me, then relisted it with my description and pictures. After I reported him to eBay, I got an apologetic email from him, in a very different tone to his previous ones. Some of my other contacts who also have had their descriptions stolen have been happy to report that eBay quickly shut down such violating listings.

Seeing that I regularly sell these items on eBay, I view copying of my listing as nothing less than copyright violation. Why should someone else benefit from my hard work spent in writing my description (it wasn't short) and taking my pictures?

The only time I would consider allowing someone to use my description would be in return for some monetary gesture.

Admittedly, though, the same view may not apply to others who do not sell in the same manner/volume that I do!

katiepops_2

I'd say it depends on what the description actually is ...

If it's the cover notes from the book, then I can't see why it would be a problem - because if you typed it out yourself from the book then it's the same anyway - and who would know?

But, if it's just a general description (6" x 4", cute picture of a cat on the front etc) then no, don't.

Kate

scottishchick27

Yes, it's for the blurb that's on the back of the book. Not anything else. I change the layout and sizing etc to suit myself.

Hermia

They've probably nicked the blurb from Amazon anyway so I wouldn't worry too much! Just email them and ask them. Before I got a digital camera I used to occasionally ask people if I could borrow their picture. No one ever refused (although i did always reassure them that I wouldn't put my auction on until theirs had closed).

princessmoneysaver

Try looking on amazon, if you type in the ISBN number usually found at the back of the book then search in "books" it usually shows some info which you could copy BUT alter some of it so it's not an exact copy.

Yvonne

super41

I have just noticed that someone has copied a listing of mine literally word for word (same font/colours etc!), same starting price and p&p, and used my photo for an identical item. Whilst imitation is surely the sincerest form of flattery (!) I'm hacked off it's so blatant, especially as I spend time making my listings look appealing. I've looked on Ebay help but not sure where to report this too. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

jaffa30

Hi Super
This is what you want.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/contact_us/_base/index.html?tier0=report_problem.html

Jaffa