Somone stole my listing picture...any recourse?

[ar15kaizoku]

Some jerk stole one of my pictures from my MM-9000 auction and re-sized it and now they're using it as the photo for their listing.

In the gallery display view after doing a search the pictures show up the same size so it looks like two of the exact same phone are being listed.
I have great feedback and don't want people confusing someone else's shady auctions with mine.

I contacted eBay and the seller but neither of them have done anything.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do next?
Does anyone know if there is any legal recourse for me?

This is so frustrating!

[Dapuzzlar]

I have had a similar problem before. For me shortly after I reported the issue to ebay, they removed the other listing. Good luck. not too much can be done after reporting the issue and waiting it out.

[chilidogtampa]

...but there are people who don't know any better, netiquette like regular ol' etiquette isn't the same for everyone. have you mailed or messaged the person the off chance that they just don't even know it was wrong? my next advice would be the same as dealing with folks in the real world who have a lacking of class or manners, move on and don't let it get your blood pressure up.

[ar15kaizoku]

I've emailed them twice and they are a power seller...they know better.

And it isn't just rude, it's copyright infringement.

[Frenzytom]

I've emailed them twice and they are a power seller...they know better.

And it isn't just rude, it's copyright infringement.

If you have access to an image editing program like Photoshop, you can put a subtle watermark, like your username across the image so if someone was going to use it in the future, they may less likely to use it. I tend to do that as retouching out you name might be too much of a hassle for photo thieving sellers.

[ar15kaizoku]

I used to do that and it looks like I'm going to have to start back up.

The seller finally replaced my stolen photo with a photo they stole from someone else.

[Mahee]

The last time somebody did that to me, I was hosting pics on my own site. I create this .jpeg and replaced my original pic (the one they stole) with this - -

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Mahee/ImARatAuctionThief.jpg

I guess they didn't check their actual action page often because it stayed on their page for a few days!! LMAO!!

[chilidogtampa]

that "im a rat" jpg is great! , yeah I agree that your future pix should be marked w/your uername. it is bogus that some folks think its no big deal to do that, I see ads on CL all the time with no pic at all and I wonder who in 2008 does'nt have a digicam and at least know someone who can toss a pic on free host...it aint rocket science.

[iggyclyde]

The last time somebody did that to me, I was hosting pics on my own site. I create this .jpeg and replaced my original pic (the one they stole) with this - -

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Mahee/ImARatAuctionThief.jpg

I guess they didn't check their actual action page often because it stayed on their page for a few days!! LMAO!!

:haha: I love it!

[ar15kaizoku]

That's awesome haha

Unfortunately, they didn't link to where I had my pic hosted, they just right-clicked, saved, resized and hosted it with eBay.

I'm a little more harsh and generally replace stolen direct links with goatse.

[ahfrederick]

If you have access to an image editing program like Photoshop, you can put a subtle watermark, like your username across the image so if someone was going to use it in the future, they may less likely to use it. I tend to do that as retouching out you name might be too much of a hassle for photo thieving sellers.

Agreed! Unfortunately, you have to do that. It's sad, but on ebay.. and myspace, it's the only way to cover your behind!

[ahfrederick]

The last time somebody did that to me, I was hosting pics on my own site. I create this .jpeg and replaced my original pic (the one they stole) with this - -

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/Mahee/ImARatAuctionThief.jpg

I guess they didn't check their actual action page often because it stayed on their page for a few days!! LMAO!!

OMG I love this on Mahee! Good show! :tu:
May I use it too, pleeeeeeeease?!?!? :D

[NM08SRT8]

This is why you need watermarks on all your photo's you use with eBay and have the watermark say your eBay ID

[Mahee]

OMG I love this on Mahee! Good show! :tu:
May I use it too, pleeeeeeeease?!?!? :D

Sure, of course!! You can use it, alter it, etc. anyway you choose. I'm happy to share!! :wavey:

[bigshock]

LOL @ swappin a Goatsee link.

[missdiva]

There are tons of images to replace the orig one with - pics of gross old naked men (violation, will get removed asap) or just ridiculous things - like for a phone ad put a pic of a HUGE old zack morris phone....

Also, people will still steal watermarked photos believe it or not - ive seen them stolen from 'isoldit' places all the time.

[danpedraza]

I have a stupid question? How do we at ebay know you were the original owner of this photo? What proof do you have. For all we know you lifted the image off Google? Just playing devils advocate.