topic Re: Title copying in Selling

Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:41:09 GMT

I have an issue with a seller copying my titles on their listings.
Is this allowed or can it be stopped via Vero?
Thanks

Re: Title copying

*tippy*toes* — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:33:45 GMT

Unless you belong to the VERO program, no. Even then, f they are just copying titles, there is nothing you can do, unless you hold a copywrite for that title. It is not unheard of for multiple sellers to use the same titles, especially if the title is what's written on the box of the item. Do you have permission to use the professional photos in your listings?

Re: Title copying

davidc4430 — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:37:41 GMT

i looked at your listings and couldnt see anything unique to you, the descriptions you have used would be much the same for anyone selling the same items.

had you put something unique to your listings then you might have a complaint but not for a generic description.

it could just as easily be said you copied someone elses title description, which comes first the chicken or the egg?

if your concerened make you title contain something unique to your listing.

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:41:20 GMT

I do have permission to use the photos. My concern is that my 'imagination' to create a title is being stolen.

How do I get copyright to stop this?

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:43:05 GMT

Yes, I get that but my titles are being copied 100% without variation

Re: Title copying

*tippy*toes* — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:51:47 GMT

@roysdeals wrote:
I do have permission to use the photos. My concern is that my 'imagination' to create a title is being stolen.
How do I get copyright to stop this?

You can't copyright an imagination. If you want to try and get a copyright on a word or a sentence, google is your friend. Be aware though, it costs a LOT of money and takes a LONG time to make it happen. Probably far more than you'd ever earn on eBay.

Looking at your next ending listing. "phone call recorder digital telephone voice recording system LCD display new". There is no words in there that are exclusive to what you are selling. There are no words in there that you could copyright. If you tried to copyright any of those words, you would be laughed out the door.

Lets look at another listing. "sandwich press toaster griller dual action non stick toastie maker meat grill". Again, there is nothing you can copyright. If you tried to copyright say "toaster", every toaster manufacturer in the world would have you in court fighting you. Remember, they would have far more money than you'll ever have.

There is nothing unique in any of your titles. There is nothing to copyright. You are not the only one to sell these items, therefore, you have no right to say other sellers can't use the same keywords as you.

Re: Title copying

davidc4430 — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:53:54 GMT

buyers dont buy on item titles they buy on price. if i'm buying a 28cm frypan i'll search for 28cm frypan, i'll get thousands of results possibly. then i choose by price i dont care if a hundred sellers are using the same title, its a frypan.

if you want your listing to stand out, make it more unique. or be the lowest priced seller.

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:54:52 GMT

No problem with the keywords....I just wanted clarification if a title could be copied 100%

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:55:56 GMT

Ok thanks for your time and input...cheers

Re: Title copying

imastawka — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:58:11 GMT

Are they, perhaps, selling cheaper than you, and that is really your complaint?

Re: Title copying

*tippy*toes* — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:59:38 GMT

Or this is purely an advertising exercise?

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:01:28 GMT

Nothing to do with it...some dearer, some cheaper....totally off topic

Re: Title copying

*tippy*toes* — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:02:15 GMT

@roysdeals wrote:
No problem with the keywords....I just wanted clarification if a title could be copied 100%

Yes, they can be copied 100%. There is nothing in the rules to state they can't. If 50 sellers are selling the same DVD, chances are at least half will have the same title. The only thing people can't copy is photos you have taken yourself without permission. As yours are not taken by yourself, then it's a non issue.

Re: Title copying

roysdeals — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:03:17 GMT

Advertising exercise?

I had a valid question.

Thanks for the advice everybody ....much appreciated

Re: Title copying

digital*ghost — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:32:04 GMT

@roysdeals wrote:
I do have permission to use the photos. My concern is that my 'imagination' to create a title is being stolen.
How do I get copyright to stop this?

Just to be clear, images and descriptions are protected by copyright - it happens automatically as soon as they're taken / written, so the creator of content doesn't need to do anything to "get" copyright.

Titles are not protected by copyright, not even the titles of books, songs etc. Words, phrases, titles and names can be trademarked, which grants them some protection and can limit their use, but it's pretty expensive, and generic phrases don't qualify. (You wouldn't be able to trademark an eBay item title).