Beware Coin Auctions Cheats

eBay Copyright Thieves & The Things They Tell Us
When we report eBay copyright thieves, some e-mail to complain that they haven't done anything wrong. We list some of the complaints we get.

Anonymous Crooks & Idiots
You will notice that most of the e-mailers have forgotten or omitted to tell us important information such as their eBay ID or one of the Item Listing Numbers. Without this, we can only guess WTF they are, and WTF they are rabbiting on about.
Sometimes we can piece the data together like detectives, but why should we have to do the hard work? Are all eBayers stupid and dishonest, or just the majority?
Also, almost none of them tell us their real address and contact details. Unfortunatley eBay makes it easy for crooks and shysters to operate under a cloak of anonymity.

• walker7200 of Great Yarmouth
  27th Nov 2009
  Hi I am an ebay seller, your company keeps repeatedly reporting my coin auction on ebay apparently for breach of your copyright. I swear I havent (sic) copied anything from your website, it is my own picture and my own text that i wrote myself. It is for a 1965 Five Shillings Winston Churchill Crown. So please tell me what I am apparently copying, or stop reporting my listing. Thanks
  
  • And your eBay ID is...?
    
  • The item number(s) were...?
    

• dear_nasir of London
  28th Oct 2009
  Dear Sir/Madam,
  i have been informed by ebay that my listing was removed due to violation of unauthorised listing content. would you be more precise about what unauthorised content i have used??
  Thanks
  Kind Regards
  Nasir
  

• mcharryh of Wilmington, NC, USA
  9th Oct 2009
  Please advise me why you asked that my listing be canceled (sic) . I know of no copyright infringement and the number your (sic) reported for me was not the listing numbe (sic) .
  Hugh McHarry
  
  • And your eBay ID is...?
    
  • The item number(s) were...?
    

• birdman30 14th Aug 2009
  Dear Sir or Madam,
  Please see message below. Again, my apologies!
  --- On Fri, 8/14/09, member@ebay.com wrote:
  From: member@ebay.com
  Subject: MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (320788209) To: rstevenbird@yahoo.com
  Date: Friday, August 14, 2009, 10:01 AM
  Topics: MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (320788209)
  Message: My apologies for any misconduct. I found this photo on "Go-ogle Images" and DID NOT know it belonged to another Ebay user. My camera was not working properly. It will NOT happen again! Sorry.
  MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (320788209)
  

• djemshadow23
  Hi,
  How you doing?
  I use one of your picture's, in my Ebay selling, as the picture really brings out the coin and looks good.
  And you have told ebay that i can't use it its under copyright, so they have stop my bids, and iv just lost my sale.
  thanks a lot, You have loads of gold.
  How was my little sale going to do any damage to your business.
  thanks
  Djem
  
  • A thousand eBayers per annum only nicked one little picture each adds up to a lot of copyright theft.
    On your reasoning, only stealing one chocolate bar or one car is OK is it?

• nigelday1965 of Liphook, Hampshire
  16th Sep 2009
  Dear Sirs
  I have received an email stating that I have in some way broken a copyright issue in regards of A Full Gold Sovereign, I do not understand what I have done to infringe this rule, I wrote the text myself and as the coin is in a safe at my parents house I used an copyright free image of a year 2000 Gold Sovereign to sell the item.
  I have noticed in many other categories images from product websites are used to sell items from a number of sellers, one such product is the ann summers range of lingerie. Hundreds of sellers are using the same images to sell the products.
  Please explain to me where I have gone wrong in this listing?
  Many thanks
  Nigel Day
  
  • The photo was only "free" because you stole it!

• sandragriff of Trelewis, Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil 3rd Sep 2009
  I am discussed (sic) by your email Me (sic) and MY son photo shopped (sic) the photo graph (sic) from photos that we took with our camera cause (sic) one coin looks like the other then how can any one (sic) accuse me of useing (sic) their photo this once again is discussting (sic) and i do hope that you have not stopped payment cause (sic) i sent the coin this morning.
  Sandragriff
  

• blueshuby
  25th Aug 2009
  why did you remove my listing selling gold
  Ebay has been selling Gold Eagles forever! What is the deal????????
  Dear blueshuby9(blueshuby@mac.com),
  You recently listed the following auction-style listing:
  270446451394 - 1 OUNCE FINE GOLD EAGLE 1999 COIN
  The listing was removed because it violated eBay policy.
  The rights owner or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the rights owner, Chard Limited, notified eBay that this listing violates intellectual property rights. When eBay receives a report of this type of violation, we remove the listing to comply with the law.
  
• tejknapman@aol.com
  13th Jul 2009
  hi you removed my coin after it sold because of pictures but if you look at listing again you will find there was a picture of actual coin on listing ????????
  
  • That does not make it OK for you to steal our pictures.
    Also as you failed to state your eBay ID, we do not know who you are are what you are talking about.
• jonsmith3@googlemail.com
  5th Jul 2009
  i would like to know why i got reported for selling half pennys (sic) thanks ste
  • You were reported for stealing our pictures, perhaps eBay did not explain properly, although we do give them a reason they can communicate to you. You should ask eBay to explain properly. You are their paying customer and their member.
    Also as you failed to state your eBay ID, we do not know who you are are what you are talking about, we can only guess.
• tansmiff (andy smith sirius05@googlemail.com)
  hi there.
  I have recently placed an item on ebay (2009 five coin sovereign collection) and it has been taken off because of copyright infringement I would like to know exactly what it was on the listing 110409192434 that i infringed on so i do not make the same mistake again. thanks
  my user name is: tansmiff.
  

• (Henry Sapiecha admin@acbocallcentre.com)
  EBAY - PIC OF KRUGERRAND
  It seems that my use of a pic from the not was not in keeping with ebay practice
  They have acted against me on your complaint to them about my use of the krugerrand pic.
  It is the only krugerrand I have and the pic has been removed from the ebay site.
  The coin was sold on ebay.
  I now need to determine if the money paid to me is in fact still in my account
  I was this morning going to send the coin to the buyer
  That now is on hold until the complaint by you has been properly determined
  as to its financial implications to me with regards to the sale funds and ebays actions analysed in full.
  Regards 8-)
  Henry Sapiecha
  AUSTRALIA
  

• asp1717 (max malayeri ritz44@gmail.com)
  hi , my ebay id is asp1717.
  i got email from ebay that all my item removed because of the pictures.
  i did not got (sic) any pictures from ebay site
  i did give the coin to one of my Friend (sic) to get the pictures
  and no copy right violation.
  and most of the items i sold already shipped and the guy left feedback for me . please reconsidered this mater (sic) . thanks Saeid
  

• m-j-hughes-investments-2006 (mjhughes87@aol.com)
  12th Mar 2009
  Dear Mr. Chard,
  A number of my listings on ebay were cancelled yesterday, as it turned out the images I used violated ebay policy.
  I want to apologise to you directly for using the 2009 3 coin sovereign set picture you had on your website in my ebay listings. Nieve (sic) as it may sound, I was under the impression these were free to use Royal Mint photographs.
  I can't apologise enough for the inconvenience caused to yourself and your business. This will never happen again. Hope you can forgive me.
  Best regards,
  Max Hughes.
  

• ginny.george@orange.fr
  I am baffled by this and don't understand what I have done wrong!? This item has been sold and despatched to the purchaser. What am I supposed to do now and what exactly is the problem please?
  Regards,
  Ginny George
  Begin forwarded message:
  From: ended@ebay.com
  Date: February 12, 2009 1:38:47 PM CEST
  To: ginny.george@orange.fr
  Subject: MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (274453759)
  eBay eBay sent this message to Virginia GEORGE (ginnygeorgevin).
  Your registered name is included to show this message originated from eBay. Learn more.
  MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (274453759)
  Dear ginnygeorgevin(ginny.george@orange.fr),
  You recently listed the following auction-style listing:
  270338477569 - GOLD SOVEREIGN 1886 M EF
  270343276780 - GOLD SOVEREIGN 1886 M EF
  The listing was removed because it violated eBay policy. We notified members who placed bids on the item that the listing has been canceled.
  The rights owner, Chard Limited, notified eBay that this listing violates intellectual property rights. When eBay receives a report of this type of violation, we remove the listing to comply with the law.
  Members are not permitted to use another member's listing's text or images without that member's permission. Using another member's listing's image or item description may violate copyright laws.
  Images used as part of another website may be protected by copyright law. Therefore, you should not copy and use such images from another website without obtaining permission to use that content. We encourage members to take and use their own photographs.
  To take the intellectual property tutorial, please visit:
  http://pages.ebay.com/help/tutorial/verotutorial/intro.html
  Please be aware that any additional violations of this policy may result in the suspension of your account. eBay understands that you may be concerned about this situation.We encourage you to contact Chard Limited directly if you have any questions.
  For more information on how eBay protects Intellectual Property, or for additional information if you believe that your listing has been removed as a result of an error or misidentification, please visit the following Help page:
  http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/programs-vero-ov.html
  For more information on why eBay may remove a listing, please visit:
  http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/questions/listing-ended.html
  Please be assured that your listings have not been targeted in any way. Although there may be similar items currently listed on eBay, we review all listings that are reported to us by eBay members or Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program participants. We rely on reports from our members to help maintain the safety and security of our Community. We encourage you to report any items by using the REPORT THIS ITEM button on the listing so we can quickly remove any other items that should be removed.
  Thank you for your understanding.
  Sincerely,
  eBay Trust & Safety team
  H5373
  • Why ask us, eBay have already told you, although they could have made it clearer. Use your brain, and work it out, or read the pages they recommend instead of being a lazy b*****d.

• alma_banuelos@yahoo.com
  We received a notice that our listing was removed due to an image violation. We went to your website but can't see the image anywhere, can you post a link where the image resides? Thank you.
  
  • So you don't remember whose website you stole the image from?

• johndgn@googlemail.com
  by the way my text was all original as i have been a follower of gold for many years - what parts to you think i've copied - maybe you copied me - did you discover the stuff and invent the market? it must be a full time job for you scouring the internet, get a life

  ---------- Forwarded message ----------
  From: John Dougan
  Date: 2009/2/4
  Subject: Listing Removed
  I used an image I obtained elsewhere on the internet, not on chards - they must have used yours too. I only used it because I couldn't get a clear camera picture after several attempts. If i'd known who to ask i would have asked but it didn't occur to me anyone could be so petty and have nothing else to do but police the harmless actions of others. i'll know now to avoid chards at all costs.
  

• michiko1985
  hi,i am ebay member michiko1985,please can you tell me what copyright laws i have broken on each of the 27 items that you removed,nearly all of the items i listed had my own photos and descriptions only one or to of them i used other peoples photos,and stock photos,this is mad all these items have sold and i have had good feedback,
  

• Nerius2000 (nerijus kazakevicius nerkazaevi@gmail.com)
  26th Jan 2009
  Hello,
  why?they are all my coins.I've checked your internet-portal,and did not find any my coins there.
  could you prove your word?with links?becouse,I can make the additional fotos of all my items,and you?sure,that not.
  You are making the unfair game,because,I am selling gold for a real price. Please contact ebay and tell them,that you are liars.It will be honest.
  Nerius2000.

• mariosstuff456 Mario Borsellino (marioborsellinojr@gmail.com)
  12th Jan 2009
  What is this crap. Would you care to explain. This is my 3rd listing that YOU have done this to. Why? I do not steal from listings. Matter of fact I have a business account on ebay that you have never bothered. How is this listing violating anything from you? nevermind the other listings of mine you have had removed. This is just absolutely crazy.
  

  MC019 eBay Listing Removed: Copyright Violation - Unauthorized Listing Content (266200444)
  Dear mariosstuff456(marioborsellinojr@gmail.com),
  You recently listed the following Fixed Price listing:
  250351162873 - 1972 Jamaica 20 Dollar Gold Coin .2531 Ounce 1/4 Ounce
  The listing was removed because it violated eBay policy. We notified members who placed bids on the item that the listing has been canceled.
  The rights owner, Chard Limited, notified eBay that this listing violates intellectual property rights. When eBay receives a report of this type of violation, we remove the listing to comply with the law.
  Members are not permitted to use another member's listing's text or images without that member's permission. Using another member's listing's image or item description may violate copyright laws.
  Images used as part of another website may be protected by copyright law. Therefore, you should not copy and use such images from another website without obtaining permission to use that content. We encourage members to take and use their own photographs.
  

• clintobeirne@eircom.net
  28th Dec 2008
  Hi
  Can you tell me what you think I done wrong ? as I owned all of the below items, took photographs myself and put them onto ebay ? as far as Im aware I haven't done anything wrong.
  please advise.
  clinton
  

  ----- ukrswebhelp@ebay.com wrote:
  eBay eBay sent this message to clinton o beirne (clintonsophie12).
  Your registered name is included to help confirm this message
  originated from eBay. Learn more . MC019 eBay Listing Removed:
  Copyright Violation - Unauthorised Listing Content ( 262507391 )
  Dear clintonsophie12( clintobeirne@eircom.net ),
  Thank you for your recent listing on eBay. Unfortunately, your item(s) breached one or more of our policies and had to be removed from the site. Any associated fees have been credited to your account and any bidders on this item have been notified.
  because Chard Limited reported it to us for violating their intellectual property rights. When eBay is notified by a rights owner of an intellectual property rights infringement, eBay must remove the item in order to meet certain legal requirements.
  Why did we remove your listing?
  Members are not permitted to use another member's listing's text or images without that member's permission. Using another member's listing's image or item description may violate copyright laws. Text and images used as part of another website may be protected by copyright law.
  Therefore, you should not copy and use text and images from another website without obtaining permission to use that content. We encourage members to write their own item descriptions and take their own photographs.
  For more information copy this link into a new browser window:
  http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/vero-image-text-theft.html
  Questions about the specific violation should be addressed to Chard Limited
  

  • We think it is irresponsible of eBay to encourage their copyright thief members to pester rights owners for more information. We provide eBay with sufficient information for them to pass on to their members.
    We guess that many of their members play stupid, or steal so many images indiscriminately that they cannot remember whose photogrpahs they have stolen from whom and when.

More Copyright Abuse & Image Theft
The dealers and websites named and shamed on this page are limited to those who have stolen our photographs of various coins, mainly base metal, silver or platinum.
On our other websites we also name and shame those who steal our photographs of:

• Gold Sovereigns
• Other Gold Coins & Bullion Bars
• Copyright Abuse by Other Dealers & Websites, Alphabetical

Antitrust Case Legal Case Against eBay & Coin Grading Firms
eBay, the ANA, the PNG, and & Barry Suppler are being sued in federal court alleging anti-competitive conduct.