One was a picture from the sight who sells the new items (I'm selling a used one that looks like the new one). One picture is a digital a person has taken and was on the internet.
2006-10-23 08:26:33 · 11 answers · asked by Tibo22 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
YES.
2006-10-23 08:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Here's the correct answer, from an 8 year Ebayer with over 6000 successful transactions. Unless you want to eventually have problems with customers and/or Ebay, use your own pictures.
It's against Ebay's rules to "borrow" a picture from someone else, plus if they're copyrighted, you're breaking the law. Violations of their policy may result in a range of actions including listing cancellation, loss of eBay fees, limits placed on account privileges, loss of PowerSeller status, and/or account suspension.
More and more sellers are "watermarking" their images to prevent others from copying them...this "borrowing" of others' pics is also a favorite tactic of scammers who are trying to sell something they don't have.
However, copyright or no, you are just potentially causing yourself trouble down the line...and here's why. A) The guy whose picture you borrowed, if he finds out, is going to likely report you and can get you booted from ebay. B) More importantly, the person who buys the item can turn you in for misleading them, as the item pictured isn't the item they bought...this can lead to a lot of hassle... negative feedback, buyer chargebacks through paypal (if it was bought using paypal), and if done repeatedly, suspension/expulsion from ebay (and yes it does happen). And all because someone can't take the time or is too lazy to shoot their own pics. You can buy a CHEAP digital "pencam" that takes pics good enough to post on ebay, so the cost isn't an issue.
If you don't want any potential problems, do it right the first time. Use your own pictures, unless you are selling a new-in-box item that looks just like the one on the manufacturer's site, and assuming the mfr's pics aren't copyrighted...then clearly state that this is a stock photo, and that the item being sold is identical.
And don't listen to other people who are saying that "everyone does it"...everyone doesn't and ebay is getting tough on those that do. I know 2 people who have gotten suspended for it.
Hope this helps.
2006-10-23 09:04:20 · answer #2 · answered by answerman63 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In general I'd say no it's not illegal. The manufacturer generally takes the pics and the resellers (Best Buy, CompUSA, etc) use the pics for their on line catalogs.
However unless the item matches the picture exactly or unless you specifically say someting like "Disclaimer: The picture is of a new product and not the one in the auction." in the e-bay ad then I'd call it unethical. If I bought the item and it's even a little used or there's an obvious mark and you didn't specifically say it was used then I'd have a case for returning it.
With all the cell phones that have digital cameras out there, you should be able to snap a quick postable picture to avoid misunderstandings.
2006-10-23 08:33:32 · answer #3 · answered by dm_gsxr 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is a really good question.
I've used photos of items off the internet but I always put in the ebay add "this is a manufacturers photo, my item is..." slightly used, a different color, etc.
I think it's OK as long as you say the photo is not a photo of the actual item.
2006-10-23 08:30:15 · answer #4 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Instead of taking the picture, you could post a link to the picture so people can see it, but you don't have to take it.
2006-10-23 08:30:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is illegal, also against ebays rulse. Its called photo THEFT for a reason.
2006-10-23 08:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by Andastra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends, sometimes they have rights and won't let you use their picture and they will remove your auction. Check and see if the company participates in the ebay VERO program.
2006-10-23 08:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by mandistar102 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yep, there are copyright issues there. You should ask for the seller's permission, otherwise you could land in hot water.
2006-10-23 08:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by largegrasseatingmonster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not illegal. People do it all the time; the downside is that generally people can tell it's mass-used and are slightly less likely to buy. That's at least true for me.
2006-10-23 08:30:02 · answer #9 · answered by Justin V 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the picture itself, not what it shows, is copywrited then you must have permission first. :-)
2006-10-23 09:09:59 · answer #10 · answered by Army Of Machines (Wi-Semper-Fi)! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋