Etsy removed listing due to creativity Violation.

[Oxandbullsleather]

I recently had one of my bestselling listings deactivated by Etsy for allegedly violating their creativity policy, and it’s been incredibly disheartening. The listing, which featured a gaming cosplay jacket that customers love to redesign according to their own character and team, had been up for over a year and was performing well, only to be suddenly flagged.

What makes it even more frustrating is seeing my designs copied and sold on platforms like Temu, Shein, Alibaba, and even TikTok. Sending DMCAs has become an endless task—whenever one shop goes down, another pops up almost immediately.

 I’ve contacted Etsy support and they said they’d escalate the issue, but so far, I’ve only received generic responses saying the listing can’t be reinstated because a team of experts reviewed it.

I've added multiple pictures of the custom work I’ve done for customers on that listing—different colors, logos, light combinations, and personalized character/team modifications—yet the listing remains deactivated. My biggest concern now is that other bestsellers might also get taken down.

 I wish Etsy focused more on protecting sellers from copycats and bot-driven decisions. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

Well, your shop is full of infringements. Look for more deactivated. Plus you mention "All jackets are designed in Sugar Land, Texas and manufactured at our facility by our expert craftsman in Pakistan." You need to add every one who makes the jackets as members of your shop by name.

[Oxandbullsleather]

I have already added productions partners and what infringements are you referring to? Cosplay jackets designed by us and crafted abroad by our production partners. It is an entire workshop, do I need to add each every employed person? Can cosplay jackets or costumes be considered infringements?

[ExtremeCreation]

@Oxandbullsleather  what I think @UniqueGiftOrnaments if referring to is... using famous movie names or character names to sell your product without a license from the franchise could be an issue. 

[Oxandbullsleather]

All the jackets are designed by me and outsourced to our production partners, the photoshoots are done by a professional photographer. What exactly am I doing something wrong here? What would you recommend in order to avoid future trouble? I believe the producing costumes from famous characters falls in a gray area.

[BagmakerSupply]

@Oxandbullsleather: "Can cosplay jackets or costumes be considered infringements?" If you are selling them using trademarked and copyrighted materials the answer is YES unless you have permission to use the other party's intellectual property (IP). Do you have permission to use Wesley Snipes' name or to use the movie title to sell your merchandise? Inspired By is rarely a valid defense for IP infringement, particularly trademarks.

[TheVintagePineapple · Accepted solution]

@Oxandbullsleather 

''What exactly am I doing something wrong here?''

You're recreating clothing used by actors in movies, tv shows, video games, etc.  You did not design them, but you're copying them.   You're using the names of those movies, tv shows, etc in your listings, even mentioning the names of the actors who played the characters.  So what you're doing wrong is called infringing on IP owners' creations.

Intellectual Property Policy - Our House Rules | Etsy

Fyi - Removing the names will not help since the costumes are recognizable in the photos alone.  More take downs and Etsy could close your shop.

[GroundZeroCreations]

There are a lot of threads on the forums about this issue. Just type in "removed for creativity" in the search function on the forums page and you will find it pulls some up.

[TBQSC]

@Oxandbullsleather -- "I believe the producing costumes from famous characters falls in a gray area."

There is NO gray area when it comes to IP infringements!  Etsy requires its sellers to abide by the IP Policy; if you don't, you will soon find exactly what is happening now ... your listings deactivated &/or your shop suspended ... or worse, a lawsuit from the person/company you are infringing upon!

[Oxandbullsleather]

Thank you for the blunt responses, We will work on improving ourselves. We do run our own website as well and although it's been a great ride but do not intend on working on Etsy in the near future.

[ExtremeCreation · Accepted solution]

Best of luck to you. Your jackets are nice.

Just a bit of info... I believe the same rules apply on any platform even if you have your own website. It may be an issue if you do not have authority by the IP owners. If in doubt, you can contact an IP attorney and ask. Again, best of luck.