Intellectual Property Claims on Etsy

You found an Etsy shop selling your illustrations, photographs, patterns or digital downloads, or products that use your brand without authorization.

Who this is for

Artists, illustrators, designers, pattern and template creators, and brands, whether or not they sell on Etsy.

How it works on Etsy

Etsy receives intellectual property reports through its Reporting Portal and accepts them only from the rights owner or someone authorized by the owner. If a report complies with its policies, Etsy removes the reported content and contacts the affected members. For copyright reports, the seller may file a DMCA counter-notice. Etsy may also take action against anyone who abuses its Intellectual Property Policy.

What is included

• Analysis of copied illustrations, photographs, digital downloads, texts and other protected works.
• Analysis of allegedly infringing use of trademarks and other rights, according to their scope.
• Preparation of reports through Etsy’s official channels.
• Follow-up and review of responses.

Similarity is not infringement

A resemblance, a trend or a shared idea does not, on its own, prove infringement. Copyright protects the specific expression of a work, not ideas, styles or techniques. A trademark protects a sign for particular goods or services. Before filing a report, we analyze whether there is an actual copy or an infringing use.

Limits

• Etsy decides on each report under its policies; results and timeframes cannot be guaranteed.
• Improper reports can have consequences for the person filing them.
• Products that merely share a style or a trend are not reported.

Hypothetical examples

Hypothetical example 1: a designer finds her crochet pattern PDF being resold by another shop using her own photos. The listings are documented, the date of her original publication is verified, and a copyright report is filed.

Hypothetical example 2: an illustrator sees another shop with drawings in a similar style but of original design. There are no grounds for a report, and the reasons are explained to him.

Documents to start the assessment

• Links to the Etsy listings.
• Your original work and the date you published it.
• For a trademark: the registration number and the country or office where it is registered.
• Authorizations, if you act on behalf of the owner.

How I work

1. Initial assessment. We review what was published, where, and which right may be affected.
2. Review of rights and evidence. We verify ownership, licenses, authorizations and proof.
3. Choice of route. We select the appropriate mechanism: platform, provider, search engine or direct demand.
4. Authorized preparation and filing. I prepare the claim and file it only with your express authorization.
5. Follow-up. I handle responses, requests for information and rejections.
6. Next steps. If there is a counter-notice, a re-upload or a refusal, we assess the alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to sell on Etsy to file a report? No. You only need to own the rights or be authorized by the owner.
• What if the seller responds? For copyright, the seller may file a DMCA counter-notice, which Etsy handles under its policy. At that point, next steps are assessed.
• Can I withdraw a report? Yes. Etsy only accepts withdrawals from the owner or the representative who filed the report.
• My shop received a report. Can you help? Yes. I assess the claim and your options for responding.

Discuss your case

More services under Brand and Content Protection Online.

Sending an inquiry does not mean the engagement has been accepted, nor does it automatically file a claim. The information on this page is general and is no substitute for an analysis of each case.