Not fair for handmade sellers

[DeepInTheCreations]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my experience with the Etsy AI Bot, and how I believe it is working inefficiently. Recently, I have noticed that there are many stores on Etsy that are selling trademarked items or are not handmade, yet they are not being suspended or removed from the platform. However, when I created my new store selling real handmade items, it was immediately suspended without warning.

It seems that the Etsy AI Bot is skipping over many stores that are violating the platform's policies, yet it is quick to take action against new, legitimate stores like mine. This is frustrating for small business owners like myself who are trying to follow the rules and operate an honest store on Etsy.

I believe that Etsy needs to take a closer look at the way their AI Bot is working and make necessary improvements to ensure that it is accurately identifying and removing stores that are not following the platform's policies. It's not fair that stores like mine are being punished while others are getting away with selling trademarked items and using drop-shipping from China.

For example: Edited

This store sell 500+ items that contain designs of Music bands, Movies Stars without banned, the question is does Etsy keep these stores like this because earning the fee from them ? trademarked items are in high demand.

I hope that by sharing my experience, others will be aware of the issues with the Etsy AI Bot and will join me in calling for better enforcement of the platform's policies.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[WantableDesigns]

It's frustrating but you need to edit your post, you're not allowed to call out other shops like that.

[DeepInTheCreations]

Thank you, this is my first time posting on forum.

I just remove the name of these shops

[OmasFabricStash]

It’s up to the company that owns the trademark on copyright to file the paperwork to have the items removed. If the bots took down everything with Disney in the title then any fabric shop or vintage shop would have their legal items removed. When my shop was open I would have had about 1/3 of my items removed, and I wasn’t one of the bigger shops. 

[DeepInTheCreations]

So it means Etsy only does the removal if the company own the trademark reported to them, if not the seller can sell without suspension ?

If yes, i think these stores are trying to break the law by uploading not only one trademark but multi brands 

[OmasFabricStash]

How would Etsy know if the seller has a license to sell it or not? If the company doesn’t want other people using their designs then it is their job to protect it, it’s not Etsy’s job. 

[AnniebelloPaper]

@OmasFabricStash to be honest, Etsy could do more very easily. Just set the 'D' bot parameters for handmade. It's very unlikely that any handmade 'D' item on Etsy is licensed considering the tens of thousands of dollars it cost per item per character. 

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

Wherever you trade there will always be competition.  It is best to concentrate on your own business and put all your efforts there.  

[CoquetteBath · Accepted solution]

IP is intellectual property. Etsy has some, of course (their logo/name etc) but they do not have any ownership over the rights of say...Baby Yoda.

So if someone is making Baby Yoda stuff, most of us likely think 'yeah that's definitely IP theft' but on the VERY small chance that that person HAS gotten rights (likely not for Baby Yoda...but in general)...then Etsy has to wait. Because Etsy has no ownership over the IP for Baby Yoda. And is not an agent of that IP holder, either.

Like if you or I flagged a shop with Baby Yoda imagery. Won't do anything. I'm not the owner or agent for that IP owner, either. Neither are you (likely)...

So while it rankles (really bothers me to see IP thieves taking money from true artisans...) we can't do anything. Other than (should you wish to do so) sending a link to the IP holder. I do that when I see my alma mater's stuff here. I snip the URL for the listing and send it onward. Up to them to defend their IP.

but run your own race is the best advice. There are always those who do this. And I'm a big believer in karma.

[SeasideRoseCreations]

Don't worry about what other shops are selling.

List your Etsy "legal" items and work on your own shop.

No matter what a shop sells here, we are all at the mercy of crappy search.

Etsy is aware.  It's all over the news and was even addressed at the quarterly meeting.

[SmashMouthDesigns]

the problem with "not worrying about other shops" is that these "other shops", at least in my case, are selling a similar item to what I make by hand.  Because their items are mass produced they are able to sell them a lot cheaper than I can and therefore I am losing sales to these inferior, mass produced items.  "Don't worry about it" you say--why is ETSY able to stated the items they promote are all handmade when they know that is not true.  

[RedDirtDogsVintage]

They can state that because they are more about money than they are integrity.

[PrimFun]

Are you certain the ones your are referring to are mass produced?  If you are sure they are not handmade, report the shops using information that you have found that shows they are a reseller. 

Before saying they are mass produced in those shops make sure of that fact.  There are shops that are doing handmade but can sell at a less expensive rate.

@RedDirtDogsVintage  Because there are many sellers who do not follow the rules and have less integrity.  Etsy closes down many shops that are reselling but it is a never ending battle.  The ease by which we all started a shop makes it easy for resellers.