Fraud - Alibaba.com sellers stealing from Etsy sellers :(

[MelissaMarieRussell]

Attention Etsy sellers:

Alibaba.com and Aliexpress.com have sellers on their sites who have stolen images from Etsy sellers.

I am a victim myself. I found this out the other day when I was googling supplies for my jewelry shop. One of my necklaces popped up under images but it didn't link back to my shop but rather another seller on alibaba.com! This seller downloaded my exact image and posted it in her shop to sell as own. As it turns out, she did this with all of my sports necklaces!

I decided to search the site for other potential thieves and found 5 more shops who did the same thing! :(

While I was on there, I recognized many necklaces that I've seen on Etsy (not just the style but the exact image). If you own a jewelry shop, I recommend you go on these sites and search tags lines for some of your more necklaces.

If you are also a victim, there's a link that you click on "report this image" click on there and follow the steps.

This shop especially had a lot of necklaces that I've seen on Etsy: http://chineseking.en.alibaba.com/

[woodsmokewoolworks]

Report it to aliexpress or alibaba if someone on their site is copying their images. They are sensitive to copyright infringement.
For people who are concerned about infringing on copyright and trademark against themselves with popular items perhaps they need to look and see if they are infringing. It happens, sometimes accidentally.

[MelissaMarieRussell]

But it's not an accident when someone downloads your own pictures and saves them to their computer and then uploads them as their own with the exact same writings and descriptions and original pictures from the original artist. My shop has been open almost 4 years now and my baseball necklace that was copied by six other sellers has been listed on my site and sold in February 2012 long before any of these other sellers copied my work

[CindyTSews]

Ok... So I must assume that you have obtained the rights for the use of the Olympic rings? I hope so because I just sent their legal department a screen shot of your necklace and a link to your shop and the necklace which clearly violates their trademark... Would you be the pot or the kettle?

[CindyTSews]

I went a searched a little more in your shop... LSU, Michigan State, St. Louis Cardinals? YOU have licensing agreements will these too? YOU are so worried about people stealing from YOU but you steal from others in the same manner. It is usually those who scream the loudest who have the most to hide. Wow!

[MelissaMarieRussell]

I bought all the charms on etsy and created my own just as millions of other people have done

Still not sure why you are attacking me when all I tried do from the beginning was warn other sellers that about alibaba sellers stealing from etsy sellers

[MelissaMarieRussell]

Funny you are called me out on some of my items
I noticed in your sold items that you made and sold a white socks wallet or bag or something

I'm not here to cause problems just here to inform sellers of alibaba

[CindyTSews]

If you know the law, then you would know. My point is don't jump on members of Alibaba unless you innocent.

[CindyTSews]

http://www.tabberone.com/Trademarks/PreciousMoments/PreciousMoments.pdf

[TigersandDragons]

Whether Melissa has licensing rights or not is a separate issue from Alibaba sellers stealing her photos and descriptions of her pieces.

There have been MANY MANY manufacturers on Alibaba who do steal photos and descriptions and then copy the items for sale on Etsy....so much so that some top brass at Alibaba have posted in the Etsy forums telling people how to submit proof to have copied items removed from the Alibaba site.

[Former_Member]

if you have a problem will a seller on Alibaba, simply contact
https://www.etsy.com/people/alibabarep

[NaturelMistik]

Oh man, you know there is a problem when Alibaba has a rep on Etsy. On the other hand, at least they own up to there being a problem and have provided a way for sellers to contact them.

[folkartemporium]

Melissa, thanks for the information.

[MelissaMarieRussell]

Thanks crochetgal!
That's crazy that they have a rep. At least they are trying to solve their problem :-/