E-bay fraud-any assistance?

raycyca · October 26, 2003 6:30PM

Look at item #2198434770. This individual has stolen my description word for word and even the photo of a coin I'm selling on E-bay. Isn't it copyrighted material when you list them on E-bay? Is there someway of stopping this kind of thing? Thanks in advance for any assistance! Ray

construct · October 26, 2003 6:42PM

I suspect that the material is protected, but I suspect that ebay owns the rights. Now, I don't know this for sure. I would contact ebay about it and proceed from there. How long is there before the other auction is over?

construct · October 26, 2003 6:46PM

Here is a link to the referenced auction.

What is your item number, raycyca?

Rampage · October 26, 2003 6:53PM

It is not copyrighted material. Allot of auctions will have copyright on them and in those cases, the seller has copyrighted them. eBay does not do this for you.

Even still....who is to say you did not steal his/her picture and his/her description? Simply your word against theirs.

I am not doubting you, but just playing Devil's Advocate.

This has happened to me numerous times before. It does not bother me.

construct · October 26, 2003 6:59PM

Well, I should think that the times that the auctions were listed would indicate who stole from whom, wouldn't they?

Rampage · October 26, 2003 7:04PM

You are correct, but this same coin has been listed over and over by many different sellers. It is a common coin in this year's proof sets.

Who is to say these were not first listed 6 months ago. I doubt that eBay would want to go through their archives for the last six months on each seller to see who took what.

Like I said.....it happens all the time on eBay and probably yahoo, too. Just let it go.

Rampage · October 26, 2003 7:05PM

By the way.............those are all my opinions and of course, I may be wrong.

construct · October 26, 2003 7:09PM

<< Just let it go. >>

Point well taken.

Rampage · October 26, 2003 7:11PM

<< 

<< Just let it go. >>

Point well taken.

>>

I hope you don't think I was being a jerk. It was just my opinion that it happens all too often and it would take eBay forever to stop everyone. But, I do agree, it is very irritating to see it happen to one of my auctions.

construct · October 26, 2003 7:14PM

Oh no, I don't think you were being a jerk. I don't sell on ebay and was just filling in until someone with more experience came along. Thanks for sharing your experience.

291fifth · October 26, 2003 9:49PM

If it is, in fact, your photo, then your copyright has been violated. Are you sure it's really your photo?

raycyca · October 26, 2003 10:05PM

Yes, it's my photo. The item number is: 2198506247. The last time I ran it the number was: 3053496153. Ray

goose3 · October 26, 2003 10:18PM

is the photo linked to a URL you control???

Rampage · October 26, 2003 10:36PM

They look like the same photo to me, but I still believe that a copyright has not been violated.

Maybe one of the board lawyers can step in with some assistance?

Rampage · October 26, 2003 10:37PM

Like Goose said, is the photo link to YOUR url?

goose3 · October 26, 2003 10:39PM

<< Like Goose said, is the photo link to YOUR url? >>

you can really get him/her GOOD if it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Russ · October 27, 2003 1:58AM

<< It is not copyrighted material. Allot of auctions will have copyright on them and in those cases, the seller has copyrighted them. >>

By law, copyright is automatic. It is not necessary to add the word or the symbol to the published work.

Russ, NCNE

agentjim007 · October 27, 2003 2:19AM

Get over it..big deal. Your the only one it's going to bother. Many sellers use stock photo's (my point is that the coin pictured is not the exact coin, not saying your picture is a stock photo). You should be flattered. You obviously have a better sales pitch that this seller.

Duncan · October 27, 2003 3:31AM

C............................R.........................Y..................................................................B......A....B....Y.......................................C..................R.................Y

It does NOT take much to realize what a SELFISH person YOU ARE...

Bochiman · October 27, 2003 4:40AM

Man, I am torn on this one.
Reading the thread, I am with the original poster that, if it is his pic and his description, then the new seller is wrong (can't do much about the description, but the pic would be copyrighted).

Then, I go to the link.....I have those proof sets with the cent like that. I think most people do.
The description reads like something from HSN or ShopAtHome.

I would just let it go unless you went after the picture (if you are that worried about people using yours, then when you take the pic next time, you should probably add your name or some identifying text to the photo as well).

Barry · October 27, 2003 5:01AM

Your pic got ripped off. You can sue for damages for copyright violation. What were those damages? Nothing? Hurt feelings? Oh well...
If it really bothers you, send a nasty email to the seller, and in the future, put your seller-id in the pic.

Rampage · October 27, 2003 5:25AM

<< 

<< It is not copyrighted material. Allot of auctions will have copyright on them and in those cases, the seller has copyrighted them. >>

By law, copyright is automatic. It is not necessary to add the word or the symbol to the published work.

Russ, NCNE >>

I stand corrected.

Thank you Russ, I was not aware of that.

thadd · October 27, 2003 6:13AM

From the eBay help section. There is a place to report this as well.

eBay members are not allowed to use another eBay user's pictures or descriptions in their listings or About Me page without the owner's permission. Listings that violate eBay's Picture and Description Theft policy may be removed early. Multiple violations of this policy can result in suspension.

The following examples are not allowed on eBay.

A seller doesn't know the best way to describe an item. The seller copies a substantial amount of another's description and pastes it into a listing.

A seller takes someone else's picture and includes it in a listing since it looks very similar to the item the seller is offering.

A seller likes the way a competitor's About Me page looks. The seller copies the look and feel and a substantial amount of the text and creates an About Me page.

thadd · October 27, 2003 6:17AM

Here is the link to the eBay policy about this, and includes the link to report it.

Click

Rampage · October 27, 2003 9:20AM

Interesting.

raycyca · October 27, 2003 3:52PM

Thanks for the link Thadd. I don't mind if someone starts out with the basic idea and changes it. That's NOT the issue. What is the issue is the seller has taken my listing verbatum with his sellers ID. Or, for the paranoid, has he stolen my ID and is just adding his seller's information? Thanks for the input folks! Ray

E-bay fraud-any assistance?

Comments

Leave a Comment