How I make sure that the art I sell on Etsy is dowloaded only once after the customer pay?

[VdartShop]

Hi,

Im an artist that sells the digital copies on Etsy for download. I am new in all of this, but I do have a concern. How can we prevent for clients to download the digital copies more that once after they pay? Instead of Etsy sending the digital copy to the client. Why instead of Etsy sending an email with the art, why they don't send a link to the client that can be use just once?, and this link will allowed the customers to print the file once?

Maybe this is something that can be fix or maybe we can raise a flag?  We artist are passioned about our creations and we don't want them out there without our permission.

Thank you

V/R

vdart

[PlatypusDream]

You can't prevent people from downloading more than once.

Are you afraid that people will steal your images?  Your shop is at risk already:

https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/the-ultimate-guide-to-intellectual/22398703823

https://www.etsy.com/legal/handmade

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

Sigh.... Another who didn't read the rules.

[BagmakerSupply]

@VdartShop: As mentioned before, you should probably read https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/fan-art-and-fair-use-one-truth-and-five/39402098770 and have a conversation with a qualified intellectual property attorney.

[sharonjenkins1]

Looks like another pot calling the kettle black situation.  

[bradgoodell]

I completely understand why you are worried someone would steal your art and reproduce it without your knowledge, approval, or payment.  It's shocking and disturbing how many laws some people will break in order to line their pockets.  

[AVAArtsSupplies]

Maybe call Disney and Marvel ask how they keep people from stealing their ideas? 

[blzopbhi]

I've not sold any digital items, so don't know much about the back end. Perhaps the link to the image is on a timer and becomes inoperative after a period?  Or maybe there's a pass code to access it? I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I have will speak up, but why do that - if the file was corrupt when it arrived, or it somehow got deleted, or some other legitimate reason disappeared from the purchaser's possession, why shouldn't they be permitted to download it again? I am not certain what effect being able to download an image more than once would have any effect on sales of the image.

If the person who downloaded the image wanted to share it, giving a link to the the image's url would be a lot more work than just sending the file to others.

Yes, to give it away or resell it would be just as dishonest as selling images that contain copyrighted or trademarked material, and an artist would not want to be caught doing that!

[Adorabilities]

I also wonder why downloading multiple times would be a problem. Once it's been downloaded, it's saved, meaning it can be shared, if the customer wanted to. 

[nineteen27]

We artist are passioned about our creations and we don't want them out there without our permission.

so true... so very true.

*sigh*

[Amaradorn]

Once a PDF is downloaded it can be duplicated, edited (if not protected) and shared therefore it really doesn't matter whether the original file can be downloaded multiple times. 

Unless of course you are suggesting that the downloaded file cannot be saved on the buyers PC, only viewed and printed? That might work for finished artworks however many digital files are supplies, like clip art, which need to be imported or linked to another artwork. Therefore restricting the saving of digital files on a local device would not be logical.

If you are worried about intellectual property theft then I suggest you learn how it all works first.

[BriarMoonBeads]

But you did give your permission - why does it make a difference how many times it's downloaded? That's like me buying a DVD and promising the movie company I'll only watch it once.

I mean you don't want your stuff out there without your permission, but you're using Marvel etc's stuff without theirs so.....................................

[audreytherese]

First of all, what everyone else said. 

Second, as someone that buys digital files as the main thing I purchase off this site, there are a number of reasons why I might download a file more than once. Sometimes I forget where I've saved it. Once I dropped my laptop and broke it, in the process losing a few files that hadn't been backed up to my external drive yet. The nice part of buying here is that I can see my purchase history and re-download something if I need to for any reason. 

Third, there is nothing stating the file can only be used once. Not that I would buy any of yours, but if I did, who are you to tell me that I can't print the same image more than once? What if I wanted to put a print on a tote bag and make a card for a friend? Legally I'm pretty sure you can't tell me how many times I can print a file I purchased. The only thing you can dictate is that if an image is used commercially, only then can you limit how many times an image is printed & sold before it needs to be repurchased. Considering you are using the likeness of other people's images and IP (without stating that you have obtained licensing yourself), you don't have the rights to sell commercial licenses on your listings, and therefore this option is a moot point. 

[nineteen27]

all of that plus an Amen.

[blzopbhi]

NOT being snarky, but printing is making a copy, so making multiple prints of an image is making multiple copies and prohibited by copyright law. Without express permission from the image's creator, it must be concluded that only one print may be made of the file. This is why those who buy digital downloads should always ask the seller what license is attached to the sale if it is not described in the listing.

As an aside, those stash jars in your shop are way cutiecool, but I found it strange that below the shop name is the location of New York, United States, and products are delivered from Syracuse, yet prices are in British Pounds. Is this a glitch or another Etsy test?

[CraftyCornishMaids]

@blzopbhi 

as far as I understand, from copyright law, once you buy it, you can download and print as many times as you want, for your own use,

what you can't do, is download, and sell the download, or sell a print of the download

[audreytherese]

@MULLANPHYLANE Honestly I generally only buy digital files that come with a small business license, so I am allowed to make multiple copies (they sometimes give a limit, whether it be 100 or 1,000, that can be printed before the image/license needs to be repurchased - and then it comes down to being honest about the usage). Guess I really hadn't thought of it that way and would need to contact a lawyer for true clarification. Though I believe Crafty is correct, I can not state that is in fact, how it actually works. 

Thank you. I am located in Syracuse, NY, so both Syracuse & New York are correct, though I've only ever seen it listed under the name as Syracuse, NY. I've never had anyone see British pounds show as the currency in my shop (I don't even ship outside the US) - so I am assuming there must be a glitch somewhere. 

[CraftyCornishMaids]

downloading multiple times isn't a problem, a lot of knitting sites keep you whole history there, for you to download when you want,

whether it's stored on Etsy's servers, or on the customers devices, it doesn't matter,

they can print it off as many times as they like.

[blzopbhi]

@CraftyCornishMaids  Perhaps copyright law in UK is different from copyright law in other countries - I don't know.

The basis of copyrights is that only the originator/creator/legal representative of an original work may make copies of their work, in this case a digital image. Unless otherwise provided and specified by the copyright holder, a purchaser is buying a license to use the image. When the license does not specify what can or cannot be done with the image file, one must conclude that no copies, in any form, can be made.

Much like a physical painting purchased at a local gallery - the purchaser is not permitted to photograph it, scan it, Xerox it, or copy it any an way, whether for sale, as a gift, or just to have more than one copy to hang in another room. In short, the only permitted use is to store the file on one drive and view only from one device at a time. Picky, I know, but that is why copyright law exists - to give the creator complete control over their creation and prevent others from abusing the originator's rights.

Please understand this is not legal advice, and if you disagree with my opinion, consult a licensed attorney, preferably one who practices IP law.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

When the license does not specify what can or cannot be done with the image file, one must conclude that no copies, in any form, can be made.

That doesn't make sense, they are selling digital wall art, that has to be printed to be hung on a wall.

the mickey mouse one is huge, hardly anyone is going to be able to print that themselves.

I would have to copy (download) it to my pc, then copy it to a USB drive, and take it to a print facility who will then copy it, and print it for me.
or e-mail to a printer, (which is uploading a copy) for them to print it, which is another copy  for it to be printed.

..... you can use them for personal use, but not commercial...

Buyer may not resell, relicense, redistribute without express written permission from Content Provider

[CuriousityShop]

Apparently your "Inspiration" Is not just emotion, but other people's trademarked , copyright or licensed images. You have nine listings that you need to have licenses or written permission from the owners to sell, or you are breaking the law.

[CuriousityShop]

You also need written permission from Robin Williams estate to use his image and from the owners of the right to Batman to use "The Joker" and /or the estate of Heath Ledger. Also to sell Dave Chappelle image & Hugh Jackman image you need a signed release from them.