How strict is eBay oh the unlicensed use of ip/copyrights/trademarks etc?

[siybon]

Researching some potential niches on ebay, I came across severall t shirt sellers (I think largely Print on Demand) that offer designs that use ip; Photos, brand names, logos etc. Unless Im missing something, how are they allowed to sell such items without infringment?

[sml192]

EBay will only act on reports from the brand owner via the VeRO system so if you suspect a listing of copyright infringement you would need to contact the brand owner to report it. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/listing-policies/selling-policies/intellectual-property-vero-pr...

[siybon]

Ok. That makes sense then why so many listings that would appear to be using IP are live (and selling). Because its an ordeal to get them de listed. So if people are buyings things they like, and sellers are selling things, and ebay collect their fees. It's a win win for everyone on here I suppose.

Ive been hearing how etsy are a lot more strict and they will actively shut stores that unlawfully use others ip.

[wyntersemporium]

They will get caught and sued. Like I was a few years back.

[siybon]

Yeah I'm just too risk averse to try and do something like that.

I'm just surprised after researching the t shirt market on eBay quite how much IP is being repurposed. From  high volume sellers too.

[janrom2]

As someone who buys band/music t-shirts, in my experience, many, if not all, of the sellers, here and elsewhere, that sell "unofficial" merchandise get the designs wrong, or their designs are that bit different - I'm guessing to evade copyright law - IE what they are selling is ***just*** different enough that they can get away with it.

Personally, when originals of t-shirts I want, in some cases official t-shirts that I bought back in the day that I want to replace, now sell for as much as £400 a throw, I really wish that copyright law on no longer available items was loosened so that those selling rare designs could do so without "getting the designs wrong on purpose"...

[wyntersemporium]

I can't put said babe that sued me on here, but can when the time comes as don't wear half of them now will sell on my private account. 

[*vyolla*]

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@wyntersemporium wrote:

I can't put said babe that sued me on here, but can when the time comes as don't wear half of them now will sell on my private account. 

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Was it somebody with the initials RS?

[*vyolla*]

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@janrom2 wrote:

As someone who buys band/music t-shirts, in my experience, many, if not all, of the sellers, here and elsewhere, that sell "unofficial" merchandise get the designs wrong, or their designs are that bit different - I'm guessing to evade copyright law - IE what they are selling is ***just*** different enough that they can get away with it.

Personally, when originals of t-shirts I want, in some cases official t-shirts that I bought back in the day that I want to replace, now sell for as much as £400 a throw, I really wish that copyright law on no longer available items was loosened so that those selling rare designs could do so without "getting the designs wrong on purpose"...

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Even if the design is tweaked it's still a copyright infringement. 

If some designs were still available then they wouldn't be collectable rare designs, my son pays a fortune for original band/tour/festival t-shirts that are now selling for silly money. If that particular design was still being made then he probably wouldn't want it!

[wyntersemporium]

Noticed a bit of certain bands that look well dodgy. I don't buy band t shirts on here I buy from their fan clubs.