Infringement Notice Error

[Elagirl67]

Hello, I am new and recently I created my store and uploaded a design on a tote bag. I received an email stating that someone is claiming that it is their property, which is impossible. It is a selfie of myself I took back in 2013 and made it into artwork. I have reached out to Zazzle and have not had a response providing me proof or an explanation, other that a picture of the tote bag with my design. Is it possible that I had this issue because I used a Zazzle Template to make the same product with my design image and purchased it? I wish that I can just speak with someone and not have to be waiting around. I should have been contacted before my product with my design was removed from my store. Can anyone help with some advice or if a similar situation happened to them and letting me know how it was resolved?

Thanks 

[Sandra-]

Hello @Elagirl67 and welcome to Zazzle! Sorry to hear this has happened so early in your Zazzle journey. It’s possible that you may have inadvertently used a copyrighted word in your tags, title or description that is causing the issue and not your actual design. If you contacted Zazzle by replying to the email they sent you they will be in touch soon I’m sure to clarify the exact reason. Wishing you all the best.

[Elagirl67]

Hello and thank you for your response. I was contacted last night via email and was not given an explanation other than they apologize for the inconvenience and that my product will be readded to my store. I emailed them back requesting once again the specific reason it was removed in the first place. 

[idraw]

If you have a shop and are reading this, please bookmark the link, and print it out for your files. 
@Elagirl67 
This explains usage—https://www.mekiplaw.com/trademark-vs-copyright-an-easy-guide/
You trademark a phrase.  Phrases are trademarked.  You protect a phrase by trademarking it. With a trademark, you can prevent competitors from using your phrase in connection with their products or services. Phrases are not copyrighted.

Elagirl, you may have used a word or phrase in your title, description, or tags that caused the infringement. It happens to everyone sooner or later.🙄

[ColsCreations]

Responded you over here
ask-a-question/theft-of-intellectual-property-stolen-artwork-and-designs 

@Elagirl67 

[Roberta]

Hey @Elagirl67 

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention, and I'm sorry for this experience. I would like to reiterate Sandra's answer about replaying the email you received, as this will put you straight back in contact with the department that sent it to you! Hope that helps! 🙂

Roberta 🌷

[Barbara]

@Roberta, it's long overdue that the message was altered to reflect the possibility of tag, title, and description. It's this lack that causes people to react with astonishment and even outrage. It's a form email and should be easy enough to do a little editing on it. If you would, please let the CMT know it would be kindness, particularly to newbies, to alter the message. I'm sure everyone here agrees with this.

Colorwash's Home

[Scott]

You're jumping to the conclusion that this was a small issue with the tags/title/description. Not really the case here. Probably best to allow CMT to work with the OP to understand what happened, and how they can proceed from here. I'm unsure what CMT's workload is like at the moment, but generally they're quite busy around now. Hopefully they'll respond back soon.

[Barbara]

I wasn't jumping to any conclusion as to what the issue was, given that the OP doesn't know. I was reacting to what is a constant and upsetting belief for newbies that their own image is copyrighted by someone else. Granted, this may not have been the thread in which to mention it.

Colorwash's Home

[SinéadB]

I had an issue fairly similar to this which came with the wording "Your design contains an image and/or text" and my initial response was to be horrified as I had designed and drawn the item myself.  I agree with Barbara that the wording of the initial email could be better as when I inquired, it was the use of the phrase "parcel" as seemingly it is trademarked by a company for giftbags!  What a minefield to just simply tag your products for sale.  I understand that it is legal and these things have to be flagged but when you get that email the first time, it's like someone has arrived at the door to arrest you 😂