posted on October 10, 2005 09:10:58 AM
This morning I got an e-mail from someone "out there" tipping me off that a seller had copied a description I wrote. My item for an old Smart Set magazine is #6981047688, ending tonight, and his new one began today, #6982035619. I'm not sure if I've handled this correctly.
I send him a message telling him it had been brought to my attention that he'd copied my description and suggesting that he go in and alter his description to reflect HIS thinking, not mine.
THEN I went to Ebay and reported the violation, which may take 24 - 48 hours to rectify. If the seller changes the description first, and Ebay doesn't see any plagiarism involved, will I be punished in some way for false reporting? I hope I haven't done something stupid here!
Next time, I'll report the violation first. But it's too late on this one.
posted on October 10, 2005 09:27:49 AM
is this worth all the squabbles?//////////////////////////////////
1905 SMART SET MAGAZINE VOL 16, NO.4, AUGUST. Celebrities, fashion, movies. Here's some real time travel for you! The "Smart Set" magazine was THE thing to read in the 20s and 30s--a precursor, perhaps, to our current "People" magazine. Featuring celebrities, fashions, movie stars (silent, of course), this issue is a WORN, BINDING SIDE IS TATERED but intact and makes for fascinating reading.
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on October 10, 2005 09:32:45 AM
All the squabbles? Hey, it's plagiarism, word for word from my earlier description, and Ebay implores us to report these.
posted on October 10, 2005 10:04:55 AM
Adele - I don't know how that works (no one has flattered me enough to copy what I have written LOL - I'd be pizzed if they did though). I think if he changes the listing then ebay will consider that it is no longer an issue and do nothing. I can't believe they would think you were falsifying your report unless you had a case history of similar complaints.
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posted on October 10, 2005 10:19:05 AM
You can always print a copy of his auction and then you would have proof that it was written the way you said it was written.
posted on October 10, 2005 10:35:14 AM
When that happens, and it has, I always sweetly remind plagiarists and copy cats in an email that written desciptions are considered intellectual property and thus protected under US copyright laws. A note that I am sure they were not aware of this, and to please rephrase their copy always brings an apologetic reply.
I spend considerable time and effort on auction descriptions, and perceive them as my "hallmark" if you will -- so it is irritating to me and also confusing to buyers especially if items are running concurrently.
posted on October 10, 2005 11:06:15 AM
Thanks, everybody. Minnie: I've taken your advice; he hasn't changed his description - yet, so now I have a copy of his plagiarism.
Only thing that burns me is that he misspelled a word in the last line, which I did not do in mine - I think. "Tatered." Hmph.
posted on October 10, 2005 11:54:14 AM
I think ebay would still be able to "see" the original anyway but it's safest to save it just in case.
I have a friend that does this all the time and I keep telling her it's wrong but she doesn't really care. She even copies my TOS!!!
posted on October 10, 2005 01:07:24 PM
Ebay can still see the original. In fact, there is a change to the revision policy that I did not know about until I checked his auction. You'll notice it has been revised. Click on the revised link and it will show the revision that was made. Yesterday afternoon, he revised it to correct the erronious date of 1925 to 1905. This is more detail than they used to provide, although I'll admit it's been quite some time since I've checked the details of a revised listing.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 10, 2005 01:42:30 PM
Thanks, Sparkz. I did check on the revision and see only that he's revised the date of the magazine he's selling. We'll see if he gets wise to all of this in the next day or two. I'm glad to learn that Ebay can see all the revisions eventually.
I know this seems like such a small thing, a tempest in a teapot, but by damn theft is theft, and I'll do this anytime I get wind of it!
posted on October 11, 2005 03:42:59 PM
AHA. There IS a god in heaven. I just got two e-mails. The first from this thieving seller in response to my original message to him:
"THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH DIFFERENCE IN THE CONTENT TO PLEASE THE COPY WRITE FOLKS."
The second from Ebay, saying they've removed the listing:
"eBay has removed listing # 6982035619 you've reported. We appreciate the
time you have taken to send this information to us."
So. . . perhaps he'll think twice next time. What an idiot--and after he was warned by me, too. Needs to be removed from the gene pool.
posted on October 11, 2005 03:54:40 PM
That's what I should have done a while back. Had a listing on eBay Motors for a friend's car and spent quite a bit of time writing the listing. The next week I just happened to be browsing the cars for sale in my local area and came across someone selling a car that pretty much copied a good portion of my listing, just substituting their make of car, mileage, and minor details. Tried to contact them, but never got a response, should have reported it to eBay.
posted on October 11, 2005 11:26:22 PM
All you gotta do is ask.
I had this gigantic Norman Rockwell book of prints, did some research of closed auctions & found one with a great description.
I emailed the seller, said I had the same book, complimented him on his presentation & asked permission to copy it for my auction & he said "Be my guest" wished me luck & thanked me for the compliment.
I think most sellers would say yes if you would just ask & not steal.
posted on October 11, 2005 11:56:36 PM
Awhile back, a competitor copied one of my ads, both the photo and the description. She'd copied several other sellers' ads, too.
I politely e-mailed her and asked her to change her description and to take her own photos, but she didn't.
I sent her a bill.
She didn't pay my bill (I didn't figure she would), but she did do her own work from that point on.
I wouldn't have minded if she'd asked first, and if she'd waited until my item ended.
