Selling photocopies

Hi everyone, I decided to sell some books that I would have expected to get over $100 each.

Someone is listing photocopies of very similar patterns from $4 to $8 each.

This, to me, will reduce the values of my books so I am annoyed.

If they were to sell the same books at half the price I would charge then I would have to suck it up.

Are 'enhanced photos and copy of a pattern from her own collection' allowed on eBay?

bjlcr
Community Member

Just report them

I know of no reason why a seller could not sell a copy of a pattern or picture or ??.     As long as it clearly states it is a copy.

Would ' copyright ' not come in here.

A number of years ago, ebay specifically mentioned photocopies in its prohibited listings policy, but this was removed some time ago. My main product line has been decimated by unauthorised Chinese digital and scan copies that infringe current copyright and trademark legislation, but the only people who can report this to ebay,s Vero programme are the copyright holders themselves.

 

Many companies simply cannot be bothered and ebay will not take action unless the copyright holder complains. As for older and vintage items, no longer protected by copyright, it is open slather. ( so long as the copy is noted in the description )

 

My answer has been to develop alternative product lines that cant easily be copied.

It is not like manufactured goods, handbags or shoes.       Books are always copies of something anyway -  how about books on art?   All the pictures have been copied.

And maybe the OP's items are more valuable to the buyer who is a collector of original patterns.    Not the buyer who just wants a single dress pattern to make a dress.


@curraone wrote:

It is not like manufactured goods, handbags or shoes.       Books are always copies of something anyway -  how about books on art?   All the pictures have been copied.


Yes - but with the permission of the artist/artists.

If it’s breach of copyright then report them


@namnie wrote:

If it’s breach of copyright then report them


That's what we are trying to figure - is it a breach of copyright. ??