Final Policy Violation & Lost Star Seller Status – Am I Screwed?

[Ancient3DCrafts]

I had three fake IP infringement cases reported to my Etsy shop at once, and because of that, Etsy sent me a final policy violation notification and removed my Star Seller status. The 10-day period has now passed after I countered and it seems I have won, but I still haven’t gotten my Star Seller badge back, and my account still shows that I have a final policy violation.

I’ve tried contacting Etsy multiple times, but every response has been generic, saying they’ll get back to me—but they never do. It feels like I’m being ignored, and I have no idea what to do next.

Has anyone been through this before? Will my Star Seller status ever return, or am I permanently marked? Any advice on how to actually get Etsy to respond?

EDIT: As of April 1st, I still, don't have star seller, even though I met all the criteria. This issue happened back in Feb and I am still not getting my star seller status.

[PlatypusDream]

It may be gone forever.

I do see items in your reviews that would be problematic without legal licensing. Do you have licensing?

Often take downs can look "fake", but are perfectly real, because they come from third party companies that pursue the legal rights of other companies.

[Ancient3DCrafts]

It's of ancient art and the accuser did not respond to my counter-filing.

[Ancient3DCrafts]

It's of ancient art and the accuser did not respond to my counter-filing.

[OldRaven]

I seriously doubt Tupac, Trump, Bird, Brando etc. would consider themselves 'Ancient'. Perhaps you need to reevaluate your 'compliant' aspect.

[LastCentury · Accepted solution]

It isn't clear but don't keep opening new support tickets for the same issue. Keep replying to the first one and include valid iinfo, screen shots with highlighted details that support your case. Hopefully it will be resolved. Good luck.

in the meantime, etsy likes completed shopfronts and you are missing important shop policy information required to ship to EU countries:
- sellers details
- privacy policy
- gpsr
- right of withdrawal
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115014372467-How-to-Set-Up-Your-Shop-Policies?segment=sellin...
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/5703129136407-How-Do-I-Follow-EU-Law-Regarding-Returns-and-R...

[Ancient3DCrafts]

The chat bot doesnt even work for me anymore. I've said Hello every week for the past month to it, and the AI nor human replies anymore. 

Also the tickets I opened for this original in Feb had no responses to it. Etsy's support is dropping the ball as usual.

[LastCentury]

"Also the tickets I opened..."

like I said, only open one ticket... do not open more than one for the same issue. It just drops you to the bottom of the line. I find email support is the best. You just need patience because it may not happen in a week. Last time for me was 3 weeks (but for a much different situation)

I find chat is a waste of time. I could have got it off my chest in an email instead of wasting time on a chatbot. I respond to the auto response. and keep responding until I get a real person.

try this, it also has a callback which might work. 
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new?segment=selling#issue_sell_star_seller-contact_select

[Ancient3DCrafts]

These were opened more than a month ago, so I've been waiting 4 weeks. The chat also used to work very well and I would frequently talk to a human but it's completely broken now.

The link you sent only has an email us button, there is no callback feature.

[LastCentury]

 "These"

again... stick to ONE!

The link showed email & callback for me.

You will need to go through the help needed section to see what you can get.

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new?segment=selling#issuelist_selling_on_etsy

[AutumnHollowStudio]

You've got some stuff in your shop now that aren't "ancient" and could be problematic

[Ancient3DCrafts]

They don't have associated IP's attached to them.

[PlatypusDream]

@Ancient3DCrafts 

Yes, they do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_rights

[audreytherese]

Al Pacino is certainly not ancient and it absolutely is a violation to make items using his name and with his likeness. I didn't look further to see what else may have been problematic, that was enough to show that you don't understand how IP fully works, and I'm not inclined to believe what you received were 'fake' reports. 

[CryzalisMasksUK]

Etsy is most likely covering their backs. Trump, Musk, Monroe among others are trademarked. You may have not received take downs for those yet but have for others Fake or real. This stays on your account. If your badges have been permanently removed, more often than not it is permanent followed by a shop closure when the next violation comes through on your account.

I would make sure there is no chance of receiving another violation and maybe in time, your shop will receive their good standing back.

https://www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited/#:~:text=Unauthorized%20replicas%20or%20copies%20of,without%20....

Unauthorized replicas or copies of items, and patterns or designs enabling their creation, are prohibited on Etsy. 

[audreytherese]

You lost your badge, likely forever. Next time you will lose your shop, forever. You really need to learn how IP works, or else yes, you will be screwed. 

Etsy will not respond because they do not get involved in legal matters, which this actually is. If they do respond, all they will do is direct you to the help pages that cover IP. 

[LastCentury]

Geez, I wish I had looked closer at the merch available.

Yep... etsy's cold shoulder treatment can be brutal when it comes to not following their terms.

[dippeldiundscribble]

IP infringement isn’t the only issue.
I dare to say that some listings may violate the Prohibited Items Policy -> 4. Hate items: Items that Promote, Support or Glorify Hatred