An eBay seller is using my image without permission. What can I do?
BillJones
Posts: 34,418 ✭✭✭✭✭
A seller on eBay has stolen the image I use of a Chain Cent as my avatar. A couple of members here told me about. I contacted the seller, and he gives me nothing but a run around. The guy is using my image to electrotypes of Chain Cents. Is there any recourse?
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
0
Comments
It is a copyright, report it to Ebay as copyright infringement.
Ebay and the seller ignore my requests.
It is impossible to post a negative about a seller on eBay unless you have bought from them,
if you've used the report function on ebay, there's not much you can do
This is the steps you want to take to report it, they have to respond.
Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI
Send notice to seller’s physical address.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
How do you reach that point?
Their site is so arcane that you can’t find a way to complain unless you have bought from the seller.
Scroll down under the listing to this "report this item" button.
Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI
the question mark is always in the lower right corner of the browser
It sounds petty, and I haven't resorted to this method- yet if you purchase the least expensive item from the seller you can then leave negative feedback. Wait a couple of weeks after receiving the item though and be sure the verbage you use is appropriate to the item purchased otherwise eBay can and will delete the feedback and you're back to square one.
peacockcoins
Thank you! I was able to find that space. It remains to be seen if eBay will do anything.
It's not worth the while to reward this seller with a purchase. My opinion of eBay was very low. It just got worse.
for future reference, ebay is doing away with the "report this item" and slowly switching to the question mark route
@BillJones No problem, here is more info if you don't get a response in a few days.
Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI
Excellent point. Just trying to think outside the box.
Also, in checking that seller's feedback he doesn't really seem to care about the negatives he is receiving other than to respond to this one:
l***o (1007)- Feedback left by buyer.
Past month
Verified purchase
Received junk - no telltale signs of an electro halves being clad together. Ordered a CHAIN got a Wreath. Toning highly suspect. Not even sure its copper. Second "coin" a slug at best. I have several REAL chain electros for comparison and this looks to have been a waste of time and money. Avoid!
Reply from: a.best-56
Look, they are OVER 150 YEARS OLD, of course, they are in poor condition as clearly described and pictured. Why order something centuries old for less than $100 and have over-expectation for it to be in shiny mint condition, while add and photos clearly shows what it is.
peacockcoins
What the seller is offering:
Seller's description:
"Flowing Hair Large Cents 1793 with Chain or Wreath Electrotype from 1860s. Wreaths generally in bit better condition and still can be certified with PCGS or NGC as Genuine Electrotypes. Chains in bit poorer condition and PCGS or NGC probably won't accept them for certification. So you can choose which type one you like and let us know in order notes. Also have couple 1804 Electrotype Cents like the one certified in acceptable condition. If you not familiar with 1860 Electrotypes, please read about them, they are valuable and rare and also considered genuine by major grading services. All 3 types made almost 200 years ago and have wear, tear, patina, corrosion, you name it, but still with dates, mint marks readable. Can be locally picked for free in San Francisco or $19 shipping. Thank you and God Bless."
I love it when scammers invoke the, "God Bless."
peacockcoins
It gives religion a bad name.
A “thank you” to everyone for your feedback and support.
If a seller can steal photos and make you think that’s what they are selling, how can you trust this venue?
His list photo is priceless. “Authenticated and guaranteed by blah, blah blah.
It’s a genuine electrotype, and not a good one.
Just call them and hope you can understand the person that picks up the phone!
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I'll go so far as to say it isn't an electrotype but rather a cheap Chinese fake that has been "aged."
peacockcoins
I tried that approach for PCGS infringed IP from the many counterfeit Morgans in fake PCGS slabs and received crickets.
About 20 years ago I had a similar situation. I drafted a cease and desist letter and also sent a bill for use of the image up to that point. Apparently I did a good enough job harassing the guy that he sent me the requested $50 to go away and then stopped using the image, as I demanded.
If you’re really feeling petty, send him a bill and if he doesn’t pay, sue him. If you do it in a court near him, add the travel costs and then write off a Norcal vacation.
I saw that listing and thought the Chain cent they were using looked familiar.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Link to seller?
Here is the item, they have multiples
https://ebay.com/itm/356635191425?_skw=1793+one+cent&itmmeta=01JQ2XHX346F7AR99PW5FFXDAT&hash=item53091d2881:g:dwMAAOSwEiZnx~V8&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cB6D1kWwuVEithKCDHG0c2kj8dfF6xZE6AmBh7K2878S0Ctj3SB0yOeCLNFl1tLuw1%2F1PK6xwVcj2t9Tp%2B6LzeKu0CbCrCSl7pcKXjNP9JH0uWUCKE62%2B5QjJ6VOeiqSMo1VFDSWg1rZerGPQHx1XbAaOiDqPUYVlf8SqX5LxOZ3DHwXEa%2Bvi%2Fdak7dH5t2PDApm%2BRdcuo7XgrZ6aTQddz08bxEec2JEGGiMnjvFcyAOiyx0h1OO%2Bywm3uEnZXOKwTkgWfD81cTgqZt9igSkuZpvpieOVZbsUBoNL3ncYJzg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9rRx924ZQ
Its a shame that bay has gone down hill so much over the last few years
sent contact seller a question (sold 8 but 11 still available)->
I like the first one with the blue background and the 5th one in a PCGS slab. Do you have either of these still available?
You aren't the owner, so you have no standing to trigger a DMCA takedown.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Does your Chain Cent come up in an internet search? Whenever a seller or anyone who doesn't have the means nor know-how to take pictures, they search the internet to get photos. I see this quite often with Jefferson nickel sellers on ebay. I tried raising a stink one time with one seller, even reporting it to eBay and they did nothing. And I think he blocked me from his auctions. But how does one prove they own the coin to eBay? But recently saw one but the seller noted in his coin title, "Not the coin pictured". But many photos from CoinFacts can end up in a user's internet search. Even if you were able to convince the guy not to use a photo of your coin....as long as it keeps showing up in people's searches on the internet...what are you going to do?
Back in the 1990's when I included large photos of the steps of coins I sold on eBay, it didn't take long before I noticed other sellers using my photos of steps on coins they were selling. What did I do about it? Nothing! I guess I thought it would do some good for the series.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
I just hate stuff like this with ebay sellers as it just boils my blood! I hope you get some remedy in the situation ......
🇺🇸 Harlequin
harlequinnumismatic@gmail.com