Is there any rule against copying?

[#1]

I am shocked! I make hand painted clothespins that are all my own designs and ideas. I, just this morning, came across a shop that is also selling hand painted clothespins with my exact designs! I don't have a problem with another shop selling painted clothespins but these are exactly like mine! I sent this person a polite conversation basically saying that her designs are WAY too close to mine and I'd appreciate it if, in the future, she could not use my designs. I hope thats a legal thing to do on Etsy. But, I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen and, if so, what you did about it. Is there any kind of Etsy rule on this??
Liza

[WaterStreetDesign]

Liza, Your shop is amazing!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Off topic:

Casi, I don't agree that imitation is 'the highest form of flattery'.
Imitating products for sale for commercial purposes is theft. It is a crime.

Imitating for personal use is not that flattering either, unless you got permission from the designer (= the owner of the design). You don't just take things without asking. Not in my world, at least. I believe in 'mine and yours'.
The designer might share their design, saying it is fine if you make your own. Or you could ask the designer if it is okay. Then, and only then, it is flattering.

The highest form of flattery? NOT taking my design but telling me how much you love it.

On topic:
Decorating clothespins is not a copyrighted process and anyone can do it, either for themselves or for commercial purposes.
Copying the exact same decoration from another seller is wrong (if it is an original design by the first seller and hasn't been done by anyone else before). It is theft.

[NatashasDesignz]

I really don't think its fair at all for others to copy designs unless had confirmation that they can. At the end of the day that particular designer has had the ideas, skills etc and put it into practice.

I fell that crafters should try coming up with their own ideas instead as it gives you a lovely feeling too :-)

[PaperScissorsPop]

Your pins are fantastic. I have never seen painted clothes pins before. I have just been trawling through them and i think, by far, yours are the best. It is very annoying when some one blatantly copies your item almost to the tee. But it is a compliment too as she is obviously aspiring to build a shop like yours. I would say by now she has realised her mistake and I think either her shop will fizzle out...or (hopefully) she will realise her mistake and start producing some original work and be successful like you are.

[CactusCurio · Accepted solution]

Hi SugarAndPaint,

Sorry to hear about your concerns, sounds like a frustrating situation. If you have copyright concerns, the best thing to do is to email Etsy's Marketplace Integrity team (https://www.etsy.com/help/contact) and ask them to look into it. They're a huge help, and experts on the ins and outs of those rules.

Good luck!