Etsy removed my listing due to Etsy's creativity standards

[GreencadeShop]

2 of my listings was removed due to Etsy's creativity standards.  Just to clarify, everything in our shop is handmade by us.

I’ve gone through Etsy's creativity standards multiple times, but I still can't figure out why the listing was removed—especially since I have another listing for the same products in a different styles, which is still active in my shop.

I've reached out to Etsy for clarification, but etsy already closed 3 requests without answering. 

We can prove that all our products are handmade by us!

Thank you!

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

Well, you are using the zombi fandom which is copyrighted, so you are infringing. So expect more to be taken down.

Plus, you mention group of gamers in your "about" page. You are required to add every one of them as members of your shop.

[GreencadeShop]

I've reached out to Etsy for clarification, but etsy already closed 3 requests without answering. 

[TheVintagePineapple]

Most likely the listing was removed for infringing on whatever game it was related to. 

1.b. > Seller Policy - Effective starting September 15, 2024 - Our House Rules | Etsy

 Intellectual Property Policy - Our House Rules | Etsy

Did you purchase the printing files from somewhere else?  Were there terms and conditions about selling physical copies for profit?

[GreencadeShop]

I've reached out to Etsy for clarification, but etsy already closed 3 requests without answering. 

[LeParisMetro]

You say on your website that using protected IP for fan art is fair use.  I don't know the law in Latvia but in the US this is not true.  Once you sell it, you are breaking the law here and it is considered an illegal counterfeit. If you want to give away your fan art for no charge, you would be fine.

Since you appear to sell to the US, you are breaking the law here without proper licensing. So, your options are to not sell to the US and only sell to countries where fan art is allowed to be sold (you would need to research every country to know if there are any that allow fan art for profit) or to take out all references to protected IP unless you can obtain a license.

[BagmakerSupply]

@GreencadeShop: "Just to clarify, everything in our shop is handmade by us." The 'violates creativity standards' can encompass much much more than just if it is handmade.

It is almost impossible to speculate on why a particular listing was deactivated, but Etsy is cracking down on what they feel inappropriate. Reselling and copyright and trademark infringements is a always large factor. 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. Plus neither we nor you know what combination of possibly multiple factors constitute the trigger that flagged your listing.

Now that your shop is on Etsy's radar, you might want to make sure that it complies with all of Etsy's rules. You should seriously consider the suggestions others have made here.

[thatregina · Accepted solution]

Hello @GreencadeShop, please look out for an email response soon as I've shared your concerns with the appropriate team. I'll close up this thread now with my thanks!