A few days ago Etsy deactivated another one of my listings for violating the Creativity Standards, which I've read with a fine-toothed comb and cannot see how this was in any way in violation. I handmake this bracelet myself by wire-wrapping gemstones onto a ready made bracelet frame, which to my knowledge is totally allowed and considered handmade according to their standards. The email they sent me was vague and gave no specific reason for the deactivation, it was more of a form letter. They've deactivated numerous listings over the past three months, some of which got re-actived a few weeks later for some reason..which I was extremely grateful for even though I have no idea why.
I did a reverse image search on this bracelet and sure enough a company on AliExpress was using my exact photos to sell whatever they're selling as my bracelet. I found numerous other photos of mine on this company's page and I would bet my life there were many other stolen images from other honest Etsy sellers on there as well. I spent hours of my time reverse image searching all my listings, over 500 pieces, and proactively deactivated my own listings which I found stolen images for on other sites in fear they would be deactivated by Etsy and I'd be in even more trouble. This seems like something I'm going to have to do every week to try to keep ahead of these thieves. In addition now I have to re-shoot all these pieces in order to stay ahead of the culprits and get my items back in the shop in time for the holidays.
I've tried reaching out to the people stealing my photos to no avail. To file a claim with AliExpress to have the photos taken down is near impossible..I've tried at least ten times but they always come back saying they need something else from me and make me start all over again, the process is very cumbersome. It seems like Etsy is assuming that because my images have been stolen it means I must be buying my items from whoever stole my images. This seems very backwards and I wish there was a way their bots could see who posted the images first. In this day and age that seems like something that would be possible.
To my knowledge the copyright on your photography doesn’t require any special paperwork, or having the © associated with your image. The copyright will automatically apply once you post your photography online because, at that point, it exists in a “tangible medium.” It’s out there, and it’s yours according to the Copyright Law of the United States of America.
My star seller badge has been removed for the past three months because of these photo stealers and I also have a suspicion that my standing in search results is being negatively affected from this, at the busiest time of year which we all look forward to to make the bulk of our sales for the year! I wish there was another way to address this problem that didn't involve threatening our shops and taking away our badges. Etsy wants us to take super nice photos but when we do we open ourselves up to unscrupulous people stealing them which in turn threatens our very livelihood.
My Etsy shop is my full-time only job and is my sole means of supporting my family. I love my shop and have loved being on Etsy for the past 12 years. I've worked super hard to make my customers happy and have been a star seller since the inception, up until this whole mess started a few months ago and it got taken away. This situation is causing a lot of stress and sleepless nights. If anyone has any advice on how to deal with this situation I'd love to hear how to handle it.
I love what I do and want to continue to thrive here on Etsy. I think Etsy is wonderful but I want to feel supported and heard. I'm hoping this issue, which seems to be affecting so many honest sellers gets resolved soon. Has anyone out there found a way to contact Etsy and get a personal response? What steps can I take besides what I'm already doing?
Thanks so much for any help or advice anyone has out there.
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