Why are some allowed Top Rated status when stealing PHOTOS

[calmom33]

I am becoming increasingly frustrated with ebay favoring  many sellers that openly flaunt the rules.   Why are Top Rated sellers allowed to use photos from companies like Gymboree in their listings even though it is a flagrant abuse of Ebay policy?  They are receiving valuable Final Value fee discounts and better placement in searches for stealing and cheating the system.    It is time for Ebay to make this stop!

It is slow enough right now on Ebay ( down about 75% from prior holiday seasons)   Stop letting some get away with breaking the rules!

[femmefan1946]

There is a Report button on every listing. EBay encourages members to police the site.

At most you will get a polite thank you email. You will not be told the outcome of the investigation, but if you put a Reported listing on your Watch list it may suddenly disappear.

The "stolen photos" ban is usually on photos taken by the lister. That is, if I scan one of the books that I have for sale, you cannot use my scan, even if you buy the book and relist it, without my express permission.

I don't know what the status is on using catalogue pictures.EBay supplies stock photos for many items, and this may include mass merchandise like Gymboree clothing.

Using stock photos can be useful, but it is a good idea for sellers to include a picture of the actual item, especially if the item is used and to show that the seller actually has the item in hand.

[doumb21]

The policy is that you cannot take a picture scanned by another seller or a text written by another seller without his authorization.

Of course, eBay has absolutely no control over this unless a listing is reported.  When you see someone taking your image, you have to report.

If a seller report his image has been stolen, this item will be removed from the other seller listing.

But if someone pretends an image was taken from a catalog, I am pretty sure eBay cannot do much.  Seller might have the authorization to use the picture.  And most of the time, the auction has probably ended before eBay processed the reported case.

[zarzuella]

If someone is stealing YOUR photos, report it to eBay.

If not, MYOB - that seller could have the right to use the pics they are using, particularly if they are a licenced distributor.

Used items, however, should show a picture of the actual garment and not a new manufacturer's image - that is deceptive.

Ann