This Person is Selling my Design on Zazzle

[VivianD117]

I have reported them, but I would like to publicly call out this person -- you will probably recognize this design and they have decided to sell it also.  It is not copyrighted so perhaps legally they can, but I hope this is not something that Zazzle will allow them to do since it is a straight copy of the design.

[Susang6]

This kind of thing has become more common lately. Between AI tools and the watercolor bundles sold on Etsy, a lot of designs end up looking alike even when no one is trying to copy. And unless the artwork is original or licensed, POD creators don’t automatically have copyright. Hopefully Zazzle can figure this out.

[VivianD117]

the artwork is original and identical -- so let's see what happens.   Search on golf balls -- and you will see it very quickly.   

[VivianD117]

Update:  they sent me an apology and said they deleted the designs.   I will verify, but I’m sure they did.  

[Jadendreamer13 · Accepted solution]

You own the copyright if it is your original design (even if you don’t hold an official copyright registration).

A removal and apology doesn’t negate the fact that they stole your design. I hope Zazzle closes their store.

[VivianD117]

Hi -- that is interesting.   I don't think they understand this whole process -- they certainly do now.  It is just fortunate that I kind of stumbled on them.  

[Marcia]

I'm sorry this happened to you, Vivian. I hope they get taken down. How did you find out about this, btw? Just by chance?

[VivianD117]

It has been resolved.  I discovered it because I had designed some new golf balls and was looking to see if they were in the marketplace yet.  As we know, timing is everything in life.