Amazon users asking questions about product authentictiy

[doL]

I recently received a question from a user on Amazon requesting whether or not the art prints that I sell are licensed by the artist or "unauthorized" prints.

My listings do no claim that these prints are from the artist by any means, nor does it suggest that anywhere that they are licensed. I specifically state that these are unique art prints that I've created and altered (an example of an alteration that I do is a method called Selective Color, where the original is a full color image, but with selective color, I only leave one or two colors in the prints to make the primary focus of the art really pop out, while the rest of the image is now grey scale). Yes, I realize I'm giving away a lot of information, but the market is so wide, I really don't mind.

What action should I take? Should I be worried? Should I even answer the question since I believe it'll be displayed for all to see? And lastly, if I don't answer the question, does this hurt my metrics?

Thanks in advance. Fairly new to Amazon, so I'm learning the ropes.

[Taking The Micky]

So basically you are taking an artists work and altering it with no compensation to the owner and no licence to do this.

I would assume you are on very dodgy ground and your account will be closed for selling non authorised product.

This is only my view but if I was the artist I would be seeking financial compensation for copyright infringement.

[doL]

That's fantastic advice, would read again.

[Taking The Micky]

Basically you will be suspended or deleted. What other advice do you need. How to defraud other licensees out of their income. Amazon will not tolerate any kind of copyright infringement, their bots will have already picked words out of the email from the customer to you.

[yankee]

Originally Posted by Taking The Micky

their bots will have already picked words out of the email from the customer to you.

Yes!
Velocity review within a couple days just from those words.

[bombztreeez]

its basically counterfeit.... start another account and do it right. that account is gone. If not VERY VERY soon.

[tatersalad]

Most likely a competitor sending you keyword driven emails. Wouldn't be terribly concerned about it. Just make sure you can provide some documentation of authenticity incase amazon asks for it.

[Taking The Micky]

Originally Posted by tatersalad

Most likely a competitor sending you keyword driven emails. Wouldn't be terribly concerned about it. Just make sure you can provide some documentation of authenticity incase amazon asks for it.

Dude, the pictures are not authentic.

[doL]

Micky, you're missing the point. I'm not here asking you to judge what I'm selling. I'm certainly not asking whether its morally just for me doing it. I really don't care about your opinions in this matter, because like it or not, it's happening. Chill out.

Questions:
1. Action
2. Repercussion
3. Action
4. Outcome

But thank you to those who know how to read, much appreciated.

[Taking The Micky]

Originally Posted by doL

Micky, you're missing the point. I'm not here asking you to judge what I'm selling. I'm certainly not asking whether its morally just for me doing it. I really don't care about your opinions in this matter, because like it or not, it's happening. Chill out.

Questions:
1. Action
2. Repercussion
3. Action
4. Outcome

But thank you to those who know how to read, much appreciated.

Dude you don't know amazon very well I suspect.
4. Deleted/Suspended
Amen

[Welbs]

Amazons ****e anyways.....thatl be all!!!! Your welcome

[tatersalad]

Originally Posted by Taking The Micky

Dude, the pictures are not authentic.

If the pictures are not authentic, then make them authentic. The kids obviously
proficient with his editing software. I imagine he can make them authentic if he takes a mind to.

[Taking The Micky]

Originally Posted by tatersalad

If the pictures are not authentic, then make them authentic. The kids obviously
proficient with his editing software. I imagine he can make them authentic if he takes a mind to.

FM,I cannot really believe what you have wrote, how can you make something authentic when you don't own the intellectual property.

[tatersalad]

F**k off mickey. You dont know if he can get them copyrighted or not. You can expedite the copyright process for $1000 and have almost anything copyrighted within 24 hours. I, and many others do it regularly. Im just trying to do this guy a solid and offer him some useful advice, instead of telling him he is "wrong for what he is selling" and that there is "no solution". Thats bu!!$hit there is always a solution

[Taking The Micky]

tatersalad, I assume you cannot read, he says he is taking unique art prints without consent and altering them. Thats called IP infringement and copyright theft. There is no way on earth that he will get the copyright and the IP.
I suggest if you can get items copyrighted within 24 hours with full IP rights you would earn more money in downtown LA then you could ever earn on amazon.
What you don't seem to understand many sellers on this forum own there product as I do with full IP and people steal it and that is something I cannot condone and I sure the vast majority members feel the same way as do amazon.

[barrycruan]

Originally Posted by tatersalad

F**k off mickey. You dont know if he can get them copyrighted or not. You can expedite the copyright process for $1000 and have almost anything copyrighted within 24 hours. I, and many others do it regularly. Im just trying to do this guy a solid and offer him some useful advice, instead of telling him he is "wrong for what he is selling" and that there is "no solution". Thats bu!!$hit there is always a solution

Offering advice that breaks the law is not really doing him a solid is it. And whether you can get them copyrighted or not is irrelevant in this case as op has already said they are using other people's work.

Whatever you do regularly I'm guessing has never once been challenged in court or otherwise because if you are taking original intellectual property and then adding alterations to make it different you will not have a leg to stand on.

Op asked what he should do and the answer is find a new product to sell. The customer asking questions is quite clearly a competitor anyway so I look forward to OPs next post on how do I get my money back from a suspended account.

The answer is NOT to break the law and that is not what these forums are for.

[tatersalad]

No one said he should break the law. He should submit his work to the copyright office.

They will determine whether he can copyright it or not.

When he obtains the copyright he can submit the documents to amazon. Form a corporation, brand his product, file for trademark, register with amazon branding.

Then he is legit and can quit worrying about his products being removed.

[vogeltron]

To be honest sometimes thing shade in that gray area. Personally I sell lots of products from now defunct companies or ones that have lost their licensing agreements due to timing. So if someone claims and Item I have from 8 years ago is phake I can't go to the company because they could now care less. They have no incentive to defend the brand and the integrity of the product.

Personally I don't know exactly what this user has going on. But I understand the situation.

[Taking The Micky]

Originally Posted by tatersalad

No one said he should break the law. He should submit his work to the copyright office.

They will determine whether he can copyright it or not.

When he obtains the copyright he can submit the documents to amazon. Form a corporation, brand his product, file for trademark, register with amazon branding.

Then he is legit and can quit worrying about his products being removed.

Cuckoo land......no more I can say

[rsot]

Unique art prints....as long as not copied works....hopefully

[doL]

Oh, no, I'm totally ripping off the artists, no doubt about that. Using characters that these people are famous for. I'm not trying to get copyrights for other peoples work, or claim that these are real from the artists themselves. My whole point to this thread was what could happen if anything based on a user questioning it's authenticity.

There is no doubt that I'm a copyright infringing scum of the Earth. Sue me. (They probably could, and win!)

[barrycruan]

Originally Posted by doL

Oh, no, I'm totally ripping off the artists, no doubt about that. Using characters that these people are famous for. I'm not trying to get copyrights for other peoples work, or claim that these are real from the artists themselves. My whole point to this thread was what could happen if anything based on a user questioning it's authenticity.

There is no doubt that I'm a copyright infringing scum of the Earth. Sue me. (They probably could, and win!)

Sue you? Don't flatter yourself.

What will happen is Your account will be suspended and as its a cut and dry replica it will be more than likely deleted and the funds not released. You seem rather cocky and to think that your attitude is going to annoy people here?

The only thing it will be doing is making people face palm at your stupidity and what will be a waste of a perfectly good account.


I just don't understand the mentality of making a few thousand dollars illegally when you can make it just as easily with legitimate products. Anyway, you clearly are not aware of amazons recent changes so good luck when this one gets deleted and your funds are held. Just don't come back here begging for help.