Ebay And Harassment

[Mizunderstood]

Hi all

Hope someone can help. I sell items on eBay (patterns for a certain craft) I’ve been receiving messages from someone claiming they are her patterns and I didn’t make them. She’s particularly picked up on a Halloween themed one (which is a picture of a pumpkin I got off google and made the pattern). Now I’ve heard she’s on a few Fb groups and shared my eBay account and I’m receiving a lot of messages calling me a thief etc and they’re all going to report me to eBay etc. I’ve removed all of my current listings and not engaged with these people but as they’re threatening me I was wondering what eBay would do if they did complain en masse. I don’t see how she can claim copyright of a pumpkin!
Many thanks

[fender62]

sold thosans on ebay over the yrs, id ignore them as they are probably selling something similar and trying to scare you ie competitor...

[Mizunderstood]

Thanks fender62. I’m just worried eBay will close my account if they all report me. It’s not like I’m making millions, the patterns cost £1! I’ve had messages from them swearing at me. One today saying they’re going to report me, what I’ve done is illegal. EBay will shut me down and I’ll never be able to open another account. eBay has a tracking device they use on my computer, they’ll find me etc! (Of course I don’t believe that tripe) It’s all quite worrying. They sound a bit psychopathic!

[barry1010]

Send the messages to eBay and report them. That behaviour is unacceptable.

[fender62]

thye won't close you down, others have to prove your this or that, don't worry about it, i used to get the same nonsense, competitors that all, or chinese pretending there posting from the uk, but there not
if i were you, id ignore them and carry on selling, and do not respond to there messages..bad move, just eggs them on more, fishing etc.

[fender62]

infact id go further and put your price up to £1.50 and say genuine ul seller and add.. same day dispatch...mehhhh

[fender62]

uk seller..typo

[Mizunderstood]

Thanks guys. I’ve not replied to any messages at all. Seems to annoy them more though. I’ve ended all 400 listings for the time being as I just can’t be bothered with it at the moment! Just annoyed that they’ve posted a link to my eBay account on Facebook pages with over 3000 people in them

[Mizunderstood]

Fender26 I was doing it PDF’s so they’d automatically get the pattern straight to their email without waiting or paying for postage

[fender62]

Mizunderstood, well done, don't be bullied or afraid...

[Barmaid]

You could try reporting them to FB.

[THECORBYLOON]

This link gives advice about copyright and knitting patterns so the same should apply to your patterns.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/copyright-notice-knitting-and-sewing-patterns/copyright-notice-knitting-and-sewing-patterns#is-permission-always-required-to-copy-a-pattern

[Mizunderstood]

You really can’t make this stuff up! I had a discussion on the eBay forum and she’s now on there calling me a liar and thief! Think I may have to close my eBay account down

[fender62]

Mizunderstood, don't be pushed by arrogant jelious sellers...you carry on...send me a link to your product, abers will back you up.

[THECORBYLOON]

No, you need to flag it up to eBay and let them resolve the matter. If you are confident of your position, you have to stand up to the bullying.

If the other seller is in the right, why has she not gone to eBay to get them involved?

I would contact eBay, answer any questions they have, promptly and with any supporting evidence to back up the claim and not get dragged into any further slanging matches with the other seller or her pals.

[Mizunderstood]

As stated I’ve not engaged with any of them. They’ve published the forum link on Facebook and all their mates are now piling on and adding to the comments. I’ve asked a moderator to remove the thread but don’t know if/when they will. Just sitting here crying my eyes out over all this stress. Can’t even delete my eBay account as it’ll take 60 days to be removed

[THECORBYLOON]

Leave it to eBay but keep chasing them up to emphasise you are taking the matter seriously and wanting it resolved as a matter of urgency.