Etsy Deactivated some of my listings

[ZafireniaDainty]

Hello!

Yesterday i noticed Etsy deactivated some of my listings because they violate the Etsy policy and today some others, which i renewd yesterday. I haven't received any email, neither in my junk folder, and i sent an email to etsy support and waiting for an explanation. I'm selling for many years in Etsy and never this happened to me before. I also do not see anywhere that my listings violated the Etsy policy. They were all handmade necklaces with gemstones and all photos were by me. 

I read here in the forums that sometimes lately there have been mistakes with the robots, or some tags must not be used anymore.

I don't know what to do, as i did not receive any information or notice by Etsy.

Can you please help me if you have experienced something like that or you know something more?

Thank you!

[StonesAndLeatherUS]

I just looked at some of your items and they are not handmade by you or designed by you. Reselling is not allowed here. Read the Etsy rules for selling here. Etsy may not be done removing items, or closing your shop.

[ZafireniaDainty]

Which listings are you referring to? The listings that are deactivated was gemstones that i purchase the gemstones and i make them into a necklace

[StonesAndLeatherUS]

I cannot see what they deactivated. But your do have items that are all over the internet and from China wholesalers too. 

[PlatypusDream]

If your photos are also on sites like Shein or Aliexpress, Etsy (and everyone else) will think you are reselling factory made items, NOT handmade ones. Etsy has a bot that compares photos on Etsy to those on Shein automatically, and issues "not handmade" take downs.

It is up to you to police your own intellectual property.

It is also wise to remove any items you, yourself didn't make from your shop.

[ZafireniaDainty]

I make the items and i take photos. I only sell on Etsy, how can i know if my photos are being taken? Police my intellectual property, meaning to prove to etsy that i take them myself or go to a laywer to police my intellectual property? And if the bot compares what can i do?  I try to find the telephone number of Etsy, but seems that there is no where in the site, neither the live chat?

[PlatypusDream]

Reverse image search your photos on Google.

You need to issue DMCA notices to those other people using your photos.

DO NOT look for Etsy's phone number on the internet - they are all fake leading to scammers.

Etsy WILL NOT help you take down photos on other websites. It's not their job - it's YOURS as a business owner.

Either research how to do it yourself or talk to a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law.

[ZafireniaDainty]

Isn't it also strange that what i renewed it became deactivated next day?

[BagmakerSupply]

@ZafireniaDainty: It is hard to speculate on why a particular listing was deactivated, but Etsy is cracking down on what they feel inappropriate. Since Etsy is now also factoring descriptions in search, they along with titles, tags, and materials (and possibly even alt tags if you are using them) are all probably being checked. And the bots are also "reading" images. Hopefully you have / will receive an eMail from Etsy explaining the reason. The bots seem to check when a listing is created, renewed and / or edited.

[AJsPlanet]

Your items are not handmade, all I had to do was a Google image search and there are your so-called handmade by-you items, all over the internet.

[ZafireniaDainty]

i made my items and i can proove that as i have receipts of all the stones i purchased. I googled an image and i also find it elsewhere. what can i do? i live in Greece. 

what are DMCA notices?

[PlatypusDream]

A DMCA Notice notifies a website that there is copyrighted content being used without permission on that site.

You have to go to the site that stole your content and file the appropriate legal forms to have it removed.

If you are confused, talk to a lawyer specializing in Intellectual Property law.

I am not from Greece. I don't know the legalities where you are. It is up to you to find out.

[JMOldeVintage]

@ZafireniaDainty  - This from Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/45201391727

However do note that you do not contact Etsy about your original photos &/or 100% copied descriptions appearing on other websites. You need to file DMCA's on those websites.

If another Etsy shop is using your photos & descriptions then you file the DMCA here with Etsy.

Etsy has recently sent out bots to patrol images - if your photos or very similar ones found on other sites known for stealing photos, etc. Etsy is going to deactivate your listing here. Then the shop owner is responsible for contacting Etsy with the needed proof that they are handmaking their items. Photos, videos, notes on listings - say you first listed the item 5 years ago but it's suddenly on "XYZ Site" because someone noticed yours is a best seller. 

Finally, I do hope that other shop owners understand what is happening to many shop owners. While I applaud Etsy for trying to get resellers off the marketplace, their method has definitely not been fine-tuned in any way.

Yes, shop owners are responsible for policing the internet & protecting their IP - their photos, descriptions, etc. But I think most of us would agree that that task alone could be a full time job & then some. Saying a shop owner is not following Etsy's TOU's because a google image search turns up that shop's photos should possibly be tempered with the thought that stolen photos are everywhere. 

[ENHLLC]

Sorry this happened to me as well on my most popular listing that I 100% designed, I am not sure why this is such an issue and anxiety maker for Etsy Sellers.  I submitted tickets and reached out via social media, i need a human to check my reason for deactivation.  I am very disappointed in Etsy for this.

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