Can Anyone Stop China from Ripping Us Off On Ebay?

Here’s the problem. My wife. Partners and I make and sell digital backgrounds at: www.DigitalFantasyBackgrounds.com
These are meant for photographers to enhance their client’s portraits and in our terms and conditions we forbid anyone from
using them in any way on ebay and we forbid printing our images out onto canvas, paper or vinyl for the purpose of turning them
into physical backgrounds. But each week we find dozens of our backgrounds being sold on Ebay as physical backgrounds, always
by Ebay members located in China.

Now if Hollywood can’t stop the Chinese from violating their copyrights what chance do I stand? These Chinese thieves all simply fax
Ebay a counter claim which releases Ebay from their obligations to protect our copyrights because we can not afford to spend hours and
Hours each week policing ebay for violations knowing that the Chinese will always fax ebay back a counter claim. We can’t afford to pay
Over and over again for court actions when they will simply open up another ebay account or get one of their Billions of Cousins to open
a new account for them and the process keeps repeating itself.

It cost them very little to fax a counter claim to ebay but it cost us a lot of time and money to file ineffective court actions.

Is there a way to hold Ebay itself responsible for helping them? Each week I voice my concerns to Ebay that it’s impossible for me to file court actions against dozens of Chinamen each week and ebay knows full well the game that is being played. If we win in court they operate under a new ebay ID so filing endless court actions against these thieves won’t stop the problem. Is there any way to hold Ebay accountable?

If we win in court they operate under a new ebay ID so filing endless court actions against these thieves won’t stop the problem. Is there any way to hold Ebay accountable?[/quote]

Hi Steve,

I'm not a legal expert but my short answer is NO.

If Ebay will not take action against them then they know they are covered by their TOS and they are not going to fight it for you.

When you put anything online you run the risk of someone stealing it. If you are not prepared to sue you are out of luck.

You could make it harder for them by watermarking the images and only paying customers can unlock with a password? But I can not think of any other way. They can still buy the password and then use the images.

Sorry this is not much help but it is what it is unless you are ready to fight and maybe lose.

Best of success,

Skip Rosell

Hi Steve,

Just did some Quick related research to get an overall idea and understanding on the topic in general. I'm assuming, most of the following you'd be familiar with But just in case, Scan through the Links, as it might help you Connect with other Web businesses who have had related problems who Might be interested in forming some Kind of Campaign and Group in Dealing with the problems as well...

Another very interesting subject Full of stories From All sides of the News Spectrum to read about is on Goggle through the web and throughout Google News using Misc. related keywords like Donald Trump China Problems...

Might serve well as in Digging further into Google, I've noticed other Photography related web businesses and networks over the years dealing with misc. Unfortunate Time Wasting and Copyright related problems like yourself...

Even though Going after Ebay is Almost impossible, including Legal costs being Financially to costly to go after...

But there is Another ''TWISTABLE'' idea in All of This [Worth Considering] to Help with the Overall problem of Re-Couping misc. Revenues for Loss of Time and All the problems caused to your businesses Due to the Whole ongoing Situation...

As you Probably know, Controversial Marketing Tactics... Does Wonders throughout the Media and Blogosphere these Days...

Especially Good 'ol Press Releases... Focused on Particular Newsworthy subjects and Keyword phrases...

{Smart} Creative ''Newsworthy'' PR... Public Relations Campaign(s) dealing on the Overall topic and issues... Definitely Travels Fast! ...

With the way that Controversial issues Fly All over the Web on a Daily basics... You Could be [Sitting] on a Viral Marketing Gold-Mine! ... Success story for your businesses if you Know what I mean...

Could be a Win-Win situation on China related issues... With All Kinds of Long-Term Benefits in Numerous ways, Outcomes and incomes...

Quick related research as a Starting point...
http://bigcrow.com/anna/ebay_fraud/evidence.html
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Tru...-And/520180788
http://www.google.com/search?q=Chine...w=1440&bih=692
http://www.google.com/search?q=Chine...w=1440&bih=692
http://ebay.about.com/od/resolvingdi.../a/rd_vero.htm
http://www.google.com/search?q=VeRO+...w=1440&bih=692

Best of Luck in whatever you decide...

Phil

"When Life Hands You A Bunch of Lemons - Make Some Very Controversial Lemonade And Get The Right People To Swallow Some”!

Hey Phil, I really appreciate your help. My head is buzzing with ideas!

Thank You

Steve

PS: My wife just found a Facebook group for artists who have been ripped off on Ebay…. Check this blog out at: http://paulrichmondstudio.blogspot.c...ootlegged.html
It's a Very Funny Response From A Gay Artist Seeking Revenge On The Chinese bloke who ripped him off.

Hey Steve,

No problem... Glad to Help! ...

As per your message, Since the Google ''BOTS'' index, Dien's SowPub's extremely well and Quickly!...

Figured I'd post a few more Quick Links and ideas in your thread, Just in case you Decide to Go Ahead and Fly with some of the ideas...

You just Might be Able to Mix and Feed some of your Photography business related Concepts for some Link juice into That possibly Fresh New ''Bootlegging'' Web business of yours...

Definitely a very interesting subject with All Kinds of Misc. Controversial Content, Spins on Keyword phrases etc...

As per your wife's Find! ...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/609645...st_from_china/

Enough to Pretty Much build your own Ebay Bootleg Directory ... Search Engine... Niche... Maybe even An Ebay Good News/Bad News... Newsworthy Media Network and Portal...

Unlimited possibilities! ... Could become [An Authority] Google site with the Right Mix of Passion and inclusion of other Similiar and Related issues...

Ebay Continually [Spends Big Bucks] with All Kinds of Marketplace Keyword related phrasing and Online Advertising so your Monetization methods could be an interesting Partnership with Ebay in a Lemonade Kind of a way! ...

Lots of Ebay related stuff Flying around including Specialty products and Of course their own Marketplace Affiliate Network to Feed off of Too! ...

Have Fun and Enjoy ''Spinning'' things if you and your wife Decide to Go Ahead...

You Can use this Thread for the {Official} Kick-Off! ...

Here you Go! ... Ready for Scanning and some intriguing PR/Public Relations...
http://www.google.com/search?q=Artis...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a

Ebay Bootleg Million/Billion dollar Lawsuits...
http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+...ient=firefox-a

All the best...

Phil

Inferior Chinese made knock off's are ending up in USA military planes and helicopters.

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/79705752/

Originally Posted by SteveSki

Inferior Chinese made knock off's are ending up in USA military planes and helicopters.

Wow, why is this even happening? If this is true, then we need to have a closer look at the people allowing this to get by. Some could view this as the Chinese systematically and stealthily weakening it's opponent from the inside out. Man first our businesses are flocking to outsource everything there now our military is getting affected, this can't be true, or at least i hope not.

[Glenn]

Thanks Steve,

Another Steve - Steve Jobs has already solved this problem for all of the
Industry niches with products on iTunes. Including the music
Business and screen backgrounds.

I've been studying what iTunes has done....

I - They make their delivery system easier, faster than competitors

II - ADDED VALUE - they keep adding bells and whistles to the iPod/pad/computer software too - that support iTunes s ales.

a - more pixels

b - more and brighter colors

c - greater selection

III - SPEED - the hi speed of innovation and change keeps the thieves
back on their heels - off balance.

===============
===============

I Differentiate my 1-of-a-kind-FLIRT and Advanced S ales stuff - which
is stolen and put up on the web all over the place...

In several ways.

A - I have an Ezine which lists case study examples
of how to use ideas from each product.

B - I make it clear INSIDE each product that OTHER Products are
needed to get The BEST result.

C - I Force people to take a Test - or they cannot buy - my most valuable
items

D - I name drop and put links to other items inside each info product

I call this my - "Marketing-by-theft" - System.

E - I offer F_R_E_E Consulting and Extra Bonus items - BRIBES and Thank you
REWARDS to legitimate b uyers.

ADDING LOTS of Value
is what Steve Jobs did
on iTunes to get most people
to B UY rather that go to the trouble
of ordering a LOW QUALITY
Rip-OFF Version - with no guarantee or customer support!

Thanks,
Glenn Osborn

P.S. - Just my two cents - but if ALL of the biggest companies in the world
can't stop China theft. I'd prefer to spend my time finding ways to ADD
VALUE and BENEFITS that the crooks can't STEAL.

Originally Posted by wadeinni

Wow, why is this even happening? If this is true, then we need to have a closer look at the people allowing this to get by. Some could view this as the Chinese systematically and stealthily weakening it's opponent from the inside out. Man first our businesses are flocking to outsource everything there now our military is getting affected, this can't be true, or at least i hope not.

Yes - It's an act of stealth war but we are just as responsible as they are.

Thanks Glenn, That's great advice. Just offer so much extra value (at a premium price) to attract the best clients and send the cheapskates who are hard to please to your competition!

Cheers,
Steve
www.BabyPhotoBackdrops.com
www.MomsWithCamera.com