Microstock Photography Forum - General > Image Sleuth

Etsy is the absolute worst

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Justanotherphotographer:
As everyone here probably knows there's a thriving industry on Etsy of people selling our vectors (as well as violating copyright of big studios and the like).

Just a search for "vector" or "SVG" on the site and some keyword of your best sellers and they are probably there.

What I didn't know until recently was Etsy's policy Re. DMCA notices, which explains how some shops have been getting away with it for years and on hundreds of listings.

They will accept any DMCA counter notice as long as it is filled in with an existing address and phone number and allow the seller to relist. Even if the seller has just used an address of an unrelated business, and you point that out to Etsy.  As far as I can work out that even takes the strike off the account so they are "clean" and do this as many times as they like (this seems to be the case as there are sellers that have done this many times over).

So as far as I can work out the only sellers getting shut down, or even having items removed, are honest sellers who made an actual mistake. The big time crooks making many thousands of dollars know how to play the system and keep on going. I finally understood how there are two or three shops on there with thousands of stolen vectors and no repercussions.

Pixart:
I hate sending just cash to a kid's birthday party so for a last minute party  a couple weeks ago I bought a quick svg on Etsy to cut t-shirt vinyl and include a heat pressed t-shirt. 

I'm certainly not an expert with iDesignR software for my Roland cutter.  The edges around the svg looked a bit jagged, but I decided it would look smooth enough for a t-shirt.  I sent the image to print, and surprize, a huge letter C cuts out across it - which I couldn't see because it was white against the white background (discovered by adding a shadow).  I assumed it was fragments left from removing a copyright symbol. 

I contacted Etsy but they told me I had to take it up with Paypal and that they basically have nothing to do with it.  And the file is still for sale.

Up until this point I have purchased dozens of items off Etsy.  Some shipped raw goods, but almost exclusively sewing patterns by indie designers for dance and athletic wear.  This experience and Etsy's lack of responsibility have really upset me.  Most pattern designers use multiple outlets, but liked Etsy because it charged less fees to them than Craftsy (which is now Blueprint and I don't know their fees).  I guarantee you - I will make sure I don't have to purchase anything on that platform unless I can't find it elsewhere or validate they are legit.  (Most of these designers have a large social footprint and active in same groups I am). 

The sad thing is, the purchase in question was for around $3.  I know I'm just one person and I don't matter one bit to Etsy, I certainly won't recommend them again.

Uncle Pete:

--- Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on April 02, 2019, 03:00 ---As everyone here probably knows there's a thriving industry on Etsy of people selling our vectors (as well as violating copyright of big studios and the like).

Just a search for "vector" or "SVG" on the site and some keyword of your best sellers and they are probably there.

What I didn't know until recently was Etsy's policy Re. DMCA notices, which explains how some shops have been getting away with it for years and on hundreds of listings.

They will accept any DMCA counter notice as long as it is filled in with an existing address and phone number and allow the seller to relist. Even if the seller has just used an address of an unrelated business, and you point that out to Etsy.  As far as I can work out that even takes the strike off the account so they are "clean" and do this as many times as they like (this seems to be the case as there are sellers that have done this many times over).

So as far as I can work out the only sellers getting shut down, or even having items removed, are honest sellers who made an actual mistake. The big time crooks making many thousands of dollars know how to play the system and keep on going. I finally understood how there are two or three shops on there with thousands of stolen vectors and no repercussions.

--- End quote ---

Class Action Lawsuit?

Eventually some lawyer will see this and some of the others that use the "we didn't know" defense or don't actually try, and then find a bunch of vector artists who have been running into the same cycle as you. Then maybe places like Etsy or FAA or Redbubble and Zazzle will start to care and close down the thieves?

soozinz:
Went and had a look on etsy and within seconds found one of mine being sold as an embroidery design. Looks good too dammit. I'm so sick of this.

Minsc:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RutaFoziSVG

See if your work is in this shop. This lady is a big time infringer.

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