Etsy automatically disables my listings

[CreativeVibesLab]

A few days ago someone pointed out a listing of mine, but I see millions of shops selling the same designs that I sell. Since then every listing I post is automatically deactivated by etsy without any explanation, without even being reviewed I think because as soon as I post it it goes directly to the "Inactive" section. Can anyone tell me if this situation will be resolved? And how long does this take?

I'm not sure but yesterday when I was "talking" to Etsy via messages and emails I was contacted by a scam (luckily I noticed right away) telling me to verify my account by entering my card information and of course I didn't. I would not want my listing to have been flagged on purpose to get etsy to contact me, so that in the confusion among the etsy messages these scams could contact me to put "fear" into me about suspending my account and be able to scam me by playing on my fear.

Anyway I would like to understand if this has happened to any of you and how long it took for this situation to be resolved which is demoralizing me. If it was another etsy user who reported it to me I am really demoralized.

[CatsWhiskersCurios · Accepted solution]

Well you’re selling illegal counterfeit items unless you have licenses to sell Snoopy, the Grinch, Bluey etc

[PrincessLaurenne]

My LOL surprise, Bratz, and Peppa Pig outfits posts were deactivated by Etsy. Is there any list of characters that I cannot use on my posts? If I share a “Bluey” outfit, would it be deactivated as well? Now, more than Disney characters, I don’t know what I can and what I cannot post

[CatsWhiskersCurios]

@PrincessLaurenne

The simple answer is that nearly all your items class as illegal counterfeits and you are asking to be sued, as well as to have your shop shut permanently by Etsy. 

[OmasFabricStash]

I don’t want to sound mean but here is a list of characters, movie titles, actors, singers, sports teams, athletes, and song lyrics you can use without a license. 
1.     
2.

[TheVintagePineapple · Accepted solution]

The deactivation could be caused by a certain word or words you've used in the title and tags.  But it could also be caused because you've infringed on someone else's IP, such as the Snoopy and Grinch listings.  

What is the listing that keeps getting removed?

[CraftyCornishMaids · Accepted solution]

the grinch is trademarked

Snoopy is trademarked,

You cannot use these anywhere, it is illegal,

If you keep putting up illegal merchandise, etsy will shut your shop for good.

They have shut many others, you are just the one caught today.

Remove everything, that is not your own idea, you cannot sell anything inspired by other things, like snoopy and grinch

[CreativeVibesLab]

I deleted the inherent listings, but I have the ones I published "pending" and the email says not to delete them under review. In any case..do you know how long this will last?

[CraftyCornishMaids]

It's the weekend, so Etsy is probably in slow mode, 

If it says not to delete, then I wouldn't, I would just let Etsy take it's course

[CreativeVibesLab]

Well thank you very much for the answers. The one reported in fact is one of snoopy. I didn't think it happened just because of the fact that the clips I bought to create the designs were all for commercial use and consequently seeing others do it I thought it could be done having purchased them.... I will remove them right away in that case. Thank you all for responding, I will run and correct everything and will not do it again

[Amaradorn]

@CreativeVibesLab the shop that sold you Snoopy clip art probably doesn't have a licence to sell them in the first place. That kind of licencing can only be obtained from the original owner/creator.

[CreativeVibesLab]

I deleted the inherent listings, but I have the ones I published "pending" and the email says not to delete them under review. In any case..do you know how long this will last?

[Beadfairy]

I believe it took a few days - I had the tag ivory as color name in my tags (not real ivory of course!) and my listing got deleted. They tell you in an email how long it will take until they proofed everything. If you're going on with other listings (trademarked names) it might be your account gets deleted completely and you're banned.

[CreativeVibesLab]

ok, thank you very much for your help. i have taken care to remove the listings that violated the regulation, hope it helped. Thanks again to everyone!

[TheVintagePineapple]

@CreativeVibesLab Thank you for taking our advice and removing all the listings that could get you into more trouble!  However, you missed one listing, the Grinch/Movie Png.

[OwlAlwaysKnit]

I would also suggest you remove the Smiley face listings, they recently done a sweep.

[VintageRescueSquad]

@PrincessLaurenne This is a zombie thread, but you need to research popular characters. Google each + the word trademark. Anything popular, though, is guaranteed to be trademarked so taboo.

[OmasFabricStash]

It’s nice to see a seller that listens and takes our advice. 

[TBQSC]

1. When you opened your Etsy account, you clicked a link that said you "HAVE READ & WILL ABIDE" by Etsy's Terms of Use, which includes the Seller Policies & Intellectual Property Infringement.   https://www.etsy.com/legal/section/sellers
2. Just because you see another seller doing something, does not mean it is legal! 
3. If ever in doubt, go back to #1 ...