'Etsy Shut Down My Shop': Trademark, Copyright, & IP Infringement Explained!

Don't let your Etsy shop get shut down! No...Etsy didn't shut down MY shop, but I have heard this sentence over and over again from Etsy sellers who have infringed on trademarks and copyrights! In today's video, I am going to explain the difference between copyrights and trademarks, how to check trademarks, and what you need to look out for to protect your account!

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[ginadl]

This is scary. I've been looking up words and phrases and here are a few that I wasn't expecting to find trademarked, but they are: go outside, wanderlust, adventurer, self love, love yourself, love one another, mama bear, good vibes, it's all good, wildflower, happy camper, good human, bloom, all is well, raise good humans, give grace, god is love, sweet soul. I could go on. It is frustrating, being so limited on how I can express myself on products simply because another human being wants sole rights to use a certain word or phrase to make money only for themselves.

[LindaM]

I contacted Starbucks when I was selling vinyl decals and asked them if I could put my art on their cups. Not only did they say no but they also said I couldn’t even use a picture of their cups in a photo. Also those people that say it’s “Disney inspired “, that is still stealing from Disney.

[vanessajanik]

My husband has a metal shop & decided to open an Etsy store. We make very generic items such as signs, key chains etc.. Some have the American flag, Bible verses & other words or phrases like “peace, hope, love”.. is that copyright or trademarked?? The shop got shut down for multiple violations but when my husband emails asking for specifics Etsy just said, “after further review it’s shut down indefinitely.”
No explanation. Our stuff is handmade, no logos etc..
it’s ridiculous that Etsy just shuts the shop down without specifics.

[myrany]

I would love to see a video on the opposite. If I sell for example stickers with my own original art on them. How do I protect my rights to my own art?

[hudasiddiqui]

Your explanation was sooo easy to understand and really comprehensive! Thank you so much for the info, I was new to selling and had to learn the hard way when my redbubble store got shut down. I didn't understand why back then but now I know that every single one of my designs probably violated all these copyright/trademark rules. Thanks again!

[LCREATOR_DSIGN]

So in other and simple words, we cannot sell anything😂

[PumpkinPails]

“I don’t know why they took my page down!” Lists an entire page of Disney merch. Like, c’mon, that’s not your property to use as you wish, of course, it got taken down.

[stickershuttle]

This was super insightful. Curious to know more about “fan-made” and “parody/satire” uses. Such as having a version of the Amazon Prime logo that says “Anxiety Prime Logo”. Or a custom hand drawn sketch of a Stranger Things character. Thanks again! This video was very well made.

[Huerak]

How are so many Etsy sellers able to sell so many images that are copyright and trademark protected? I imagine that it's because Etsy is making money on it as well through their fees.

[iHeartPinacolada]

Thank you for making this info even clearer I was already aware of this issue but now that you gave all these examples its almost impossible to stay clueless thank you very much!

[marilynmulkey]

I am starting a candle making business and have a copyright, trademark infringement question. When I add fragrances to my candles, can I use the fragrance name that's on the bottle?

[DCdripart]

This is so such a helpful video! You did such a great job sharing what the difference with with copyright & trademark. It's so important for us as artists to know the difference and the importance of copyrite. Thank you so much!

[rafaelrivera]

The most blatant theft was when Disney ripped off the lion king from Kimba the White Lion from aka The Jungle Emperor that was Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka which was serialized in the Manga Shōnen magazine from November 1950 to April 1954. An anime based on the manga was created by Mushi Production and was broadcast on Fuji Television from 1965 to 1967.

[kittykat]

This has got to be the best video explaining copyright and trademarks. Kudos to you! I sell on several plate forms and it drives me crazy when I see people doing that kind of stuff. Oh but I didn’t know lol Love your channel btw

[denniswynn]

I have an Etsy shop myself and I have to admit, I never understood the whole copyright, trademark, or even just IP legalities. This was certainly very helpful. Crazy though, using the TESS search, to see how many trademarked words and phrases there really are now. You mentioned creating your own original designs, which honestly, seems dang near impossible. Still, good to know there is a way to research and if you get time, would you be willing to put together a video of how to do a proper search for someone who is wanting to create original items? Just a thought...

[susans]

I’m so happy you did this video! Difficult to count the amount of business I have turned down because I refuse to mess with trademarks and copyrights. Even people who want items to give to customers want to put the customer’s logo on it. I won’t without getting permission from the customer and receiving the logo directly from them. For sports teams I suggest just using the logo colors, which the NFL publishes. I can put the customer’s name (no players) or some generic info in those colors. There are so many people who will do it, I feel like an island. I don’t sell on Etsy not only because I think they don’t monitor it enough but also because I know of many artists who have had their own art stolen, down to the photos. Thank you for bringing this to light on your platform. I also appreciate all your brush packs allowing us to use them commercially! It saves me so much time drawing the basics so I can concentrate on doing the fun parts of adding express, accessories, color and texture.

[cwood]

Hi, I'm a brand new Etsy seller and have started to use Everbee. On their side bar there is a trademark words list. I sell digital printables selling Spiritual, Mystical and gothic wall art and some of the words I need to use come up on that trademark list such as . Angel, Guardian angel, Ghost, Reindeer, so on and so on. There is even words such as religious which says trademarked so how am I supposed to drive traffic to my store if these words are a problem?? Thanks....

[rhondamoore]

As a photographer, I cringe every Christmas when I see photographers doing Grinch themed photo sessions. I explain to them that the character is copyrighted, and Grinch is trademarked, and that they could be sued.

[stacimari]

Hi if you have purchased a "license" to use a photo with a celebrity for a shirt, etc...is that okay?

[cathychats]

There's a designer that sells clipart of popular movies and disney brands and has more than 100k sales and she still sells them.