Etsy removed my handmade (by me) best selling item because of their creativity guidelines?

[TheBeeStop]

I received an email today from etsy stating they have removed one of my best selling items because it does not meet their creativity guidelines. I notice several people reporting this issue today, so I am adding mine because this is a problem!

All of my designs and pictures are handmade by me, taken by me, are of my body,  in my backyard , of designs that originated in my head. I hand make each and every single item I sale. The design in question has been listed on etsy since 2018/2019 . During the pandemic it blew up as a bestseller. After that point I started getting messages from customers informing me that they see my listing on aliexpress. I watermark all of my photos with my logo. I have had many listings removed from etsy as they were using my photos or selling the copycats of my designs . 

Now all of a sudden my listing is being removed.

Whats most annoying is that I literally have a video (as apart of the listing) showing the behind the scenes of it being made! But the email states that my item is not handmade by me? 

I happened to be on the phone with an etsy seller support member when they send me the email, as I have been having a problem with their calculated shipping charging customers the full shipping fee per item added to the cart.

Like what in the world etsy?!? What is going on? 

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

Read around the forum and you will find many posts just like yours. 

[TheBeeStop]

Yes, I noticed.  I wanted to add my post as well. I'm hoping the more people speak up about it the sooner etsy will fix the problem. 

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

Yes, indeed.  I wasn't trying to shut you down but to let you know that you are  not alone.  Etsy needs to reprogram the bots to recognise which listing went live first. 

[TheBeeStop]

Thank you ♡ yea I figured you were wanting to let me know I wasn't alone. which has actually been a tiny bit comforting. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Check to see if your photos have been stolen.  Issue DMCAs to those sites and then let Etsy know.

Watermarkings is no longer the great protector they once were.  Watermarks can be easily removed.

[TheBeeStop]

My photos have been stolen, I've filed several DMCAs here on etsy and have several listings taken down for using my pictures (and even selling knock offs of my designs) . I've attempted to have all of my photos used on sites like aliexpress removed as well. However it's been hit or miss. 

These sites using my photos have been going on for about 4 years now. 

I'm surprised etsys system does not see how many listings I have had removed on their platform regarding the exact listing they just removed. 

[TheBeeStop]

And you're correct. My watermarks  have not stopped the stealing of my pictures.  

So far they have only benefited me in that customers who come across my work and notice my watermark end up finding my shop and reaching out to let me know that my pictures are being used by someone else. 

The aliexpress people have even gone so far as to use AI to remove my background and are placing pictures of by body is different backgrounds. 

But etsy should be able to see that the very first upload of my pictures is literally to their platform back in 2018/2019. 

[ModJose · Accepted solution]

Hello! We're sorry to hear you're having trouble! We've forwarded your concerns to a specialist team, and your case is being worked on as we speak - Moving forward, they will handle it directly with you so please stay tuned to your email for instructions on how to proceed. Thank you!

Per our Community Policies, we’re closing this thread so you can get the support you need from us directly.