Understanding Etsy's Copyright Problem
Dealing with counterfeit Etsy listings can be frustrating for creators and brand owners trying to protect their work. With Etsy’s vast marketplace, it's not uncommon to find fake products that infringe on original designs, trademarks, or copyrighted material.
If you're a seller or brand owner wondering how to remove fake listings on Etsy, this guide will walk you through the proper steps to report intellectual property infringement and ensure your rights are protected.
Etsy is the home of creative marketplaces and is a wealth of handmade treasures. However there is a common trend of products that have been awarded an Etsy 'Bestseller' title being copied and sold by unauthorised sellers. These products start as handmade one off designs but soon become replicated in large factories and sold online, often using your copyrighted photos and description.
Don't panic, help is at hand.
Here we guide you through the process of taking down the listings which infringe on your IP from the Etsy marketplace.
How to File an Infringement Report on Etsy
If you’ve discovered unauthorised use of your work or brand, it's essential to act quickly by submitting an Etsy infringement report. Etsy takes intellectual property violations seriously and offers a clear process to help rights holders report IP violations on Etsy and protect their creations.
To begin, review Etsy’s Intellectual Property Policy to ensure your claim aligns with their guidelines. Then, navigate to Etsy’s official Intellectual Property Reporting Portal, where you can file a takedown request on Etsy for counterfeit, copied, or infringing content. You’ll need to provide proof of ownership, a description of the violation, and links to the offending listings. Once submitted, Etsy will review your report and may remove the fake or infringing listings if the claim is valid.
Filing an IP complaint not only safeguards your work but also helps maintain a fair marketplace for authentic creators. Always keep records of your submission for future reference in case further action is needed.
Etsy's help page has a very useful step by step guide page with a video.
This shows you exactly what to enter into their online reporting form and where.
Etsy are normally very good at acting on infringing listings, however if a genuine handmade product has been copied on a commercial scale then unfortunately the listing won't be contained to Etsy. The best thing to do is to search the larger marketplaces such as Ebay, Temu and Ali Express to see if you can spot your copied product or photos.
If you do find that your Infringement problem is bigger than you think, don't worry. We can help!
With IP Moat, you can proactively track unauthorized sellers, gather evidence, and file takedown requests on Etsy all in one place. Let IP Moat be your trusted partner in defending your brand and ensuring your customers find the genuine products they deserve.
IP Moat is the Ecommerce Brand Protection Platform. It helps you to defend against counterfeit products, copied images and trademark infringement on online marketplaces. Get started with a free audit or drop us an email at hello@ipmoat.ai, if you would like to discuss your IP challenges.
