Law firm trying to purchase an item from my store

JJ2Y · #1 10-15-2023

Had a random order from a law firm in Australia

The name on the order is literally " XXX lawyers" not a normal person

Products in this store could for all intensive purposes be classed as infringing IP but it's very murky water

I believe they are up to no good

I think I am going to cancel the order just to be safe

But I can't understand why they have actually gone and bought a product and not just filed an I.P infringement against the store on behalf of the rights holder

Anyone ever had anything like this lol ?

sellerstealther · #2 10-15-2023

what trademark? it's important, I'm in a similar situation

JJ2Y · #3 10-15-2023

Name and logo I guess but these are vintage products so like I said murky water

feels to me like law firms around the world are trying to sniff out potential IP business on Etsy

but trying to sue a tiny Etsy seller across the other side of the world doesn't really seem like much logical sense for any party

The amount they will spend will dwarf the return ( if they can even get one )

so doesn't make economic sense

JJ2Y · #4 10-15-2023

I'm fully expecting more trouble to come and I think everyone should

With a bit of luck Im going to run out Q4 and then slow my store right down , might even build another one

Etsy is attracting wayyyy to much attention right now

sellerstealther · #5 10-15-2023

they may sue you, read the thread I created yesterday regarding my case and that of many other sellers on Etsy

sellerstealther · #6 10-15-2023

If you have the details of these lawyers, I recommend checking what legal processes they are currently conducting

JJ2Y · #7 10-15-2023

A lawyer can only work under instruction of the rights holder , the rights holder will 9/10 opt for a cease and desist because the cost of trying to sue a tiny seller in a foreign country will far outweigh any commercial or economic gain

Don't forget there's even the added complication of ETSY being in the middle of it all as they in effect are facilitating the transaction

I suspect some lawyers are maybe trying to propose no win no fee style IP cases but again the payoff really isn't going to worth anyones time

Unless they are planning to go after Etsy themselves , which would be a much bigger fish to fry

OldTom · #8 10-15-2023

It's getting increasingly common. They offer their services for free or for a small retainer.

They make their money by hoping sellers will be frightened into paying their demands, none of which I guess goes to the rights holder in return.

They'll never get you into court but I'm sure with Esty's help they can still do some damage to your account if the other threads on this are anything to go by.

sellerstealther · #9 10-15-2023

read about the AM Sullivan lawsuits etc. etsy may receive a legal process to obtain information about you as a seller, suspend your store and the law firm will offer you a settlement to reinstate it, unfortunately I am 99% sure that your store will go out of business in the near future and you will receive an email like this read the thread I wrote about above

JJ2Y · #10 10-15-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldTom

It's getting increasingly common. They offer their services for free or for a small retainer.

They make their money by hoping sellers will be frightened into paying their demands, none of which I guess goes to the rights holder in return.

They'll never get you into court but I'm sure with Esty's help they can still do some damage to your account if the other threads on this are anything to go by.

Yea sounds plausible modern style online ambulance chasing

JJ2Y · #11 10-15-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellerstealther

read about the AM Sullivan lawsuits etc.

Its a hustle and a bloody good one at that

Set up bum law firm website , start spamming Etsy with bogus claims ( none of which Etsy will validate )

Etsy petrifies the seller with the notice , seller goes into panic mode thinking they are going to be made bankrupt or sent to jail

Seller contacts bum law firm to settle , the "law firm" will take any amount it can get retract the claim

Job done

Money for nothing

stammer · #12 10-15-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ2Y

Had a random order from a law firm in Australia

The name on the order is literally " XXX lawyers" not a normal person

Products in this store could for all intensive purposes be classed as infringing IP but it's very murky water

I believe they are up to no good

I think I am going to cancel the order just to be safe

But I can't understand why they have actually gone and bought a product and not just filed an I.P infringement against the store on behalf of the rights holder

Anyone ever had anything like this lol ?

He intentionally wrote the name as "XXX lawyers" so obviously it's a Blackmail attempt

DENDEN76 · #13 10-15-2023

Last year I lost 3 PayPal accounts...first they buy the item from you then they get a judge to tell the market place to turnover all your information associated with the account

Also happened around Q4

agent006140 · #14 10-15-2023

Back in the old glorious days when everyone wants to be a collector,business men will look for old samples to replicate,it could be war time memorabilia,Disney watches,posters.
Your buyer could just be a collector.

rsot · #15 10-15-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellerstealther

If you have the details of these lawyers, I recommend checking what legal processes they are currently conducting

bit of research time indeed

agent006140 · #16 10-15-2023

I received an order weeks ago from a buyer who wants me to ship t o 'Grandma' in a different address than hers.
That address turns out to be a freight forwarding address.

degsey69 · #17 10-15-2023

You can only sue for IP infringement after a test purchase, usually this is not done by a firm of lawyers but a secret shopper. You will never find out who this shopper is because if it gets to court and they send you discovery, the buyers details will be redacted.

Best not to send to buyers you have suspicions about.

sellerstealther · #18 10-15-2023

Is there anyone of you who lives in the EU and was involved in such a legal process in the USA? as far as the trademark is concerned

Automasters · #19 10-15-2023

Sleazy lawyers always looking for a buck. I also have cancelled and blocked any law firm i think is suspicious. On the other hand, I have sold privacy devices to lawyers without issue as I know they are interested in using the device, not investigating.....

rsot · #20 10-16-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellerstealther

Is there anyone of you who lives in the EU and was involved in such a legal process in the USA? as far as the trademark is concerned

what do you mean by this? clarity needed

sellerstealther · #21 10-16-2023

I mean, is someone from the forum an EU citizen (outside the US or UK) and has received a legal process for a trademark, e.g. on et$y etc?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

what do you mean by this? clarity needed

**SaiJin** · #22 10-16-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellerstealther

I mean, is someone from the forum an EU citizen (outside the US or UK) and has received a legal process for a trademark, e.g. on et$y etc?

Yes there has been instances that law firms do this.

If you're very concerned, refund the guy and don't sell to him.