Stolen Pic's or a scam? What to do? (updated)

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 1:07PM

I know that this has been brought up here a few times but it's a first for me. My auction photos were lifted!!

Someone just asked me if I was running the same $20 Lib that Im selling on Ebay on Yahoo at the same time. I never do so I took a look and sure enough, there are my pics of my coin being run by a ZERO feedback seller on Yahoo!!!

I it a scam or did they just lift the pics??? I noticed they have another coin listed on Yahoo that is also listed by another Ebay seller. What if anything should I do?

Larry
Dabigkahuna

Dog97 · October 12, 2003 1:16PM

If they are linked to your server simply upload some porn and give it the same file name as the stolen pictures and paste some text in it that says something like "YOUR MOMA" and that should take care of the problem.
If they aren't copyrighted there's nothing you can do otherwise.

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 1:17PM

I just noticed he stole my discription also!!!

SUSPECT YAHOO AUCTION

Russ · October 12, 2003 1:19PM

Happens to me all the time.

Here's the latest toad to swipe one of my images.

The thing is that they're always stealing generic low value coin images. If they'd simply have the courtesy to ask, I'd gladly let them.

Russ, NCNE

stman · October 12, 2003 1:20PM

<< If they are linked to your server simply upload some porn >>

Dog.... maybe some people just don't have some "Porn" as handy as others?

airplanenut · October 12, 2003 1:23PM

<< 

<< If they are linked to your server simply upload some porn >>

Dog.... maybe some people just don't have some "Porn" as handy as others? >>

So upload something else that's offensive... this is the internet we're talking about!

Bochiman · October 12, 2003 1:23PM

To me, I would bust them.
They lifted a slabbed (serial numbered) picture with the coin. Totally different than a proof set pic.
Only 1 person can own that slab/coin at a time, right?

So, to me, that means he is scamming and lying. I would try to email his bidder(s) as well as authorities at Yahoo.

But, that's me.

Oh yeah, after I did that, and waited for MY auction to close, THEN I would email the ripoff dude.....I say "ripoff dude" because he ripped off the photo at a minimum.

Ron

Louis · October 12, 2003 1:25PM

<< I just noticed he stole my discription also!!!

SUSPECT YAHOO AUCTION >>

And he listed a double eagle in the Morgan dollar category.

FrattLaw · October 12, 2003 1:35PM

<< If they aren't copyrighted there's nothing you can do otherwise. >>

As soon as you take the pic, a copyright attaches. Also your auction descriptions are copyrighted. While I like the porn idea and would probably go with it myself, as a lawyer, I think a form letter(s) that could be sent to EBay/Yahoo and the infringer threatening legal action would be better. Ebay and Yahoo might have complicity in the offending action, since they are the broadcaster of the infringement.

Well that's my suggestion unless you want to go with the porn.

Michael

eagle7 · October 12, 2003 1:37PM

Darn nice twenty lib! I love twenty libs! But i would rather buy it from the real owner. I bet this guy doesnt produce anything for the buyers money. An obvious scam.

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 1:47PM

That was one reason why I bailed on Yahoo. You can't contact anyone from Yahoo directly and that includes Yahoo themselves!!!

The only time you can get an e-mail address is if you won or sold something. Maybe I should bid this thing way up???LOL! I know he can't deliver.

It's emarassing, these aren't even that good of pictures.

The thing that realy bothers me is that my name, or at the very least my coin image, may be invlved in some sleazy scam.

I ran a 10 day auction and this guy is running it for three days. New member, no feedback, two auctions for PCGS $20 Lib's, both auctions have pictures and discriptions lifted from Ebay. It will close before mine on a holiday so I doubt I will be able to get Yahoo to do anything before somone gets ripped off. Very sad.

And our best get to go off to war. ARGHHH!!!! Im letting this thing get to me.

Russ · October 12, 2003 1:54PM

<< As soon as you take the pic, a copyright attaches. >>

Michael,

Is it as soon as you create the work, or as soon as it's published somewhere?

Russ, NCNE

foodude · October 12, 2003 1:54PM

Ditto Frattlaws comments on copyright: As soon as you take the pic, a copyright attaches. Also your auction descriptions are copyrighted.

However, since some innocent people may find the "porn" thing offensive, and worse minors may view it, I would suggest something other than "porn" to make your point.

airplanenut · October 12, 2003 1:55PM

hmmm... if you're using the images, then you can't change them to be obscene (damn!

)

Now you've got some problems...

mgoodm3 · October 12, 2003 2:22PM

Use the "frankies" picture.

sinin1 · October 12, 2003 2:27PM

bid a few thousand dollars on your YAHOO coin -

ms70 · October 12, 2003 2:27PM

I'd do the necessary image file shuffling & do the porn thing!

FrattLaw · October 12, 2003 2:35PM

<< Is it as soon as you create the work, or as soon as it's published somewhere? >>

The copyright attaches as soon as the work is created, the publishing aspect is what provides you the basis to argue with someone that yours came first.

If Mr X and Mr. Y create the same thing and the same time and Mr. X publishes first, Mr. Y will be hard pressed to defeat Mr. X's claim for copyright. It acts as evidence of the copyright. It also goes to the calculation of damages.

Michael

DenverCoin · October 12, 2003 2:38PM

Hey Larry,

You can ask the seller a question on the auction. Maybe something like, "I own the coin pictured, and the image is mine. Is this some kind of a scam?" It may help.

I just noticed this, the coin on Yahoo is here and your auction on ebay is here. The guy even put your e-mail address for questions. Something is wrong. You had better contact Yahoo. Here is a link I found to report it. To report auction abuse.

John

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 3:09PM

Thanks gang for a lot of good advice.

I may have to go back to downloading from my web site rather than using the Ebay picture service. I like that porn idea. lol!

My auction was posted several days before the suspect auction on Yahoo. From what I understand of the Yahoo copyright agreement for all users is, that if it's not yours then you must receive permission to use the image or text.

I wrote to the other Ebay seller with the 98-S $20 that this guy listed also. He told me it's not the first time it's happened him but he wasn't able to do anything as far as contacting the bidders or getting any response back from Ebay or Yahoo of the suspect auction.

I did use the Yahoo "ask the seller a question" feature. If for nothing else, I think Yahoo bidders get notified when a question is asked. It's up the bidders now to do their homework now.

I also reported this as an abuse of the Yahoo "terms of service" but I don't know if there is enough time for Yahoo to do anything before the auction ends tomorrow. Pretty smart running the auction for only 3 days!

There is a phone number for the copyright violation dept. at Yahoo but I had to leave a message. I will try again tomorrow.

I wish there was something more I could do to alert the bidders. I may just bid the auction but I want to wait and see if I get a reply back from Yahoo before I do.

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 3:12PM

John,

Thanks, I didn't even catch that my e-mail was listed!!!!

I am beginning to smell a rat!!!

ccex · October 12, 2003 3:12PM

I noticed I was the fourth person to ask the Yahoo seller a question. I also reported this to Yahoo's Neighborhood watch, but the auction may have ended before they even read the report. (Their webform told me to expect a response in 24 to 36 hours, but the Yahoo auction ends in 17 hours)

Coin Finder · October 12, 2003 3:43PM

SOmethings working that 20 gold coin is only at $200.00 with 16 hours to go. People must be jumping out.

Tbig

sinin1 · October 12, 2003 3:47PM

I did not see any questions asked - so I asked one

This was a 2-day auction by my calculations - whew, blow out deal

wow - while writing this, dabigkahun became high bidder at $405 (wonder how high he will go?)

Dabigkahuna · October 12, 2003 4:11PM

I may have caused some confusion. The 1906-S is my $20. I bid on the other auction just in case.

The 1898-S I bid on just in case the suspect auction with my coin gets canceled before the end. I want to know who this guy is or at least get his e-mail. That is about the only way I know of getting it from Yahoo.

Worst case I see is that I get a couple of negs on my yahoo feedback. BIG DEAL!!!! right? If this guys reads these threads then he will probably cancel the auctions anyhow rather than risk getting busted. I would think?

The Suspect Auction

My Ebay Auction for the 1906-S $20

Bochiman · October 12, 2003 4:16PM

I don't think the auctions are legit, so I don't think you will get negs.
New user selling higher end items that show pictures that aren't his, that he ripped from another auction site.
He ripped descriptions (2 different styles anyway).

He will only accept money orders and cashier's checks.

Hmmmmm......all the signs of "Buyer Beware" and then some.

If the guy were legit, I think the action of ripping the photos and descriptions are enough to teach him a lesson....that ain't cool, especially on a serial-numbered item.

Please let us know how it all ends...

Ron

RNCHSN · October 12, 2003 4:25PM

Larry,

I believe another member had a similar problem last year and they changed the linked image to a sign that read along the lines of, "this scam artist stole the image and doesn't own the coin pictured here earlier!"

291fifth · October 12, 2003 9:30PM

If the pictures were taken by you then they were automatically copyrighted.

MJPHELAN · October 12, 2003 9:35PM

I would ask the seller a question: "Why are you using my photos from my e-bay auction, don't you have a real coin for sale?" The questions are posted on the Yahoo auctions.

Bikingnut · October 13, 2003 1:26AM

All the questions that were asked last night are now gone. When you check the questions asked, it says, there have been no questions asked.

Bochiman · October 13, 2003 4:14AM

Not only are the questions gone, and the auctions still running, but it looks like "Dabigkahuna" is no longer high bidder....so, it is quite possible some people will get taken for a ride

Now, did he come online, look at his auction and recognize the person he ripped it from?

Dabigkahuna · October 13, 2003 4:15AM

Mark,

I posted that question last night on my 1906-S coin. Still no answer from the selller and still people are bidding????

I called Yahoo again today but with no luck. They just dance you around to recorded messages!

Im going to bid on the auction with my coin and e-mail listed unless I hear differently from Yahoo. I notified Ebay that these two auctions had been lifted but so far nothing back yet.

Stolen Ebay Auction

I will keep the thread posted as things unfold.

Larry
Dabigkahuna

laurentyvan · October 13, 2003 4:56AM

Link to the yahoo auction shows that it was cancelled. Good work!

Dabigkahuna · October 13, 2003 4:57AM

This is the latest update on this auction snagging scam.

Well, with just a few hours to go before the bogus auctions were to close, Yahoo canceled the auctions!!

I am surprised at how fast they worked!

I have to think that the follow up complaints by the other members here had a large part to play in Yahoo's pulling the auctions and I would really like to thank you all for the help, ideas and assistance. I personally would like to thank all of those who jumped into help and that includes all the good advise.

This clown or others like him will be back no doubt.

I am going to make it habit to occasionally check the Yahoo auctions. I may even go back to listing auctions there as well.

Thanks!!!!
Larry
Dabigkahuna

Stolen Pic's or a scam? What to do? (updated)

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