Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Ebay listing layout copied. What to do?

Greetings,

I sell used bikes on Ebay as AdkerWoods. Mostly fixed gear. Someone else that sells fixed gear bikes has copied my listing html (layout) almost exactly. He even changed the way he takes photos so they have a similar background to mine. I have contacted him, and at first he responded, but since I asked him to stop copying there has been no word back. Should I ignore this or be a prick and narc him in to the Ebay Feds?

I have worked hard at establishing and maintaining my Ebay reputation. My selling prices reflects this. His final bids on the other hand are considerably less. There must be a reason. I feel he is trying to piggy back on my hard earned rep. I look forward to hearing what YOU would do.

Thanks,
John

free market economy man...unless you copyrighted the layout, there's nothing you can do. if you don't want to be associated with this dude, change your design.

here's what ebay has to say about it: http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/vero-image-text-theft.html

free market economy man...unless you copyrighted the layout, there's nothing you can do. if you don't want to be associated with this dude, change your design.

Yes and you can also ask ebay for advice.
Did you keep copies of your correspondence with Mr. Copy?

Thank you for the link to Ebay.

I have kept copies and I will use them in my report to Ebay should I decide to go that route.

I hate to start a war, but it seems he has fired the first volley.

I thought Idaho folk were more stand up than that... He's probably a displaced New Englander. :eek:

I thought Idaho folk were more stand up than that... He's probably a displaced New Englander. :eek:
Hey! I resent that jab at New England! :mad:
How about your yankees?

Hey! I resent that jab at New England! :mad:
How about your yankees?


DOH! Low blow...

But, I know you've been waiting 86 years to say it.

Idaho in the north is full of good people. boise is a s/hole.

Never trust a New Englander. Wily and dangerous. Like to stab a man as give him the time of day.

Never trust a New Englander. Wily and dangerous. Like to stab a man as give him the time of day.

I bet they'd cut your belly open if they thought you swallowed a penny. Evil bastards they are.

But their accents are charming and weird.

stitches for snitches

consult a lawyer. i'm not kidding. you have a strong case (at least facially), even without registering any copyright.

really, consult a lawyer.

If you actually have evidence that he directly copied your html, then that's a copyright violation (any work you make is copyrighted upon creation - since the 80's).

Depending on how stylized your formatting is, you may have a trademark violation as well. Check out this site google returned (http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm#3).

Thank for all your input.

The Ebayer has done the right thing and changed his listings. Probably through the power of this forum. Perhaps from the email to Ebay asking if I had any recourse.

Thanks Again,
John