Why zazzle would delete my product for image template that i used from pixabay?

[Winardi]

My product that I just created was deleted by Zazzle Content Review. 

Result: Not Approved
Policy Notes: Your design contains an image and/or text that may infringe on intellectual property rights. Per Zazzle’s Copyright Policy, we will be removing your design from the marketplace due to an infringement claim from the intellectual property owner.

Image: View the image

The image i took on pixabay.com, i found on pxhere.com too. And many other creators use it too, and there are no problem.

I will be afraid to use images from copyright free websites like Pixabay, Unsplash. But on the other hand, many creators use images from them, and it's safe. Honestly, I am very confused by this situation. I just used the image only as a mock up, I didn't really sell it. Buyers will customize it with their own photos.

[ColsCreations]

... Your design contains an image and/or text that may infringe  ...

When this happens it's more often than not a tag you used, NOT the image. It's surprising how many words/phrases one would think are common are actually copyrighted. Unknowingly using such in a tag can get your product pulled.

[Winardi]

Is "best mom ever" actually copyrighted? That is the most unique keyword I use besides mom, mommy, mothers day, etc.

[Fiorenzo]

As ColsCreation mentioned, your issue may be a trademarked tag or wording in the description or design. Note that you can't use Pixabay and Unsplash images 1:1 to sell on POD platforms, you need to embed them in your own works/designs. Also consider that pictures of recognizable persons may infringe privacy laws if you don't have an explicit written permit or a model release. I would avoid using Public Domain photos of people unless you ask the author for permission. In this case, I would stick to royalty-free imagery with respective model releases.

[Winardi]

Maybe you're right. But what makes me confused is that there are thousands of images from pixabay on zazzle listing and it's been there for years but it's safe.

"royalty-free imagery with respective model releases", what is that? Do you know that website?

[Fiorenzo]

They changed their license agreements 1 or 2 years ago after people exploited the system and sold the public domain images they got for free on Pixabay on stock photo sites and/or slapped the photos 1:1 on POD items. Seeing imagery on Zazzle products doesn't mean its use always complies with license agreements, the designs get revised at product purchase with a few exemptions. But yes, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pexels images are pretty safe to use under their terms (basically the use of the original images in your own works and/or after changes), I use them, too, in my composite works.

Royalty free photos bought on stock photo sites like Adobe Stock, 123rf, istockphoto, etc. Images of people come with so-called model releases where the authors explicitly allow the commercial use of these photos depicting recognizable people. 

As already said, your issue has been probably caused by unfortunate tag or description choices. There are so many words and word combos trademarked that you can easily get in trouble without expecting it by simply describing something.

[marsh4]

replay to the email you got and explain as you did in here, and they would provide you with the real reason why they did delete your Product.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the photo.

[Winardi]

I have replied 3 days ago but still no reply 🤔 

Do you think is it safe using pixabay image?

[marsh4]

I do not use pix bay . I can advise from personal experience to use pexels , I use their pictures and no problem. The thing about pixbay every image has different license , it may the picture you used be a subject of copyright

[Barbara]

I wish Zazzle would reword the email we receive when something is problematic because it doesn't stress the fact that it's just as likely a word or phrase we've used, not the picture. Lately, Zazzle has been slow to respond to queries, and since they weren't in the past, all ll I can figure is that they're shorthanded. Too bad you've no way of seeing the description/tags you used because you could post them here and someone would be likely to spot the issue. I hope you get a response soon.

Colorwash's Home

[Winardi]

I forgot all the tag i used. Since my product got deleted, i can't see it in the listing.

All i remember my tittle is "Mommy Polaroid Photo Collage Coffe Mug, and the tags are best mom ever, mom, mother's day, baby, kids, and another standard keyword

Is "best mom ever" actually copyrighted? That is the most unique keyword I use

[Lea · Accepted solution]

"Polaroid" is a brand name. That's what the problem would be.

[Winardi]

OMG. I didn't know if polaroid is a brand name 😆

Finally the problem was found. 

But what about the image they put on rejection email? Is it not the problem too? Took it from pixabay.

Image: View the image

[Barbara]

It's "Polaroid," a camera and the film for it having been in existence for quite a long time. It's heyday was in the sixties and early seventies. We still have a couple of them stashed away somewhere in the house.

Your picture didn't set off the alarm; it was, instead, the name.

Colorwash's Home

[Lea]

I had a design removed a few years ago that I thought was due to the photo I used, but turns out a college name I thought I made up was a real college. So double check the tags or text - sometimes it's a color name or something else seemingly benign that triggers the alarms. But I agree that I wish it were a little more clear so we don't make the same mistake again!

[De]

I responded to an email stating a violation because of wording I used in both the name, tags, and description that was unknown to me.  I did change the wording on all of the products with that description.  Unfortunately they all reverted back to the original wording so I changed them again a few months later.  Again they reverted back and I changed them.  This has happened multiple times.  I had to change one back again recently.  Somewhere there may be a technical issue.

[Barbara]

It's interesting that writers have used Polaroid in works they've sold. They simply have to capitalize the first letter. Same goes for any sort of product such as Kleenex. (I, for one, never call it "facial tissue." I call it kleenex. Anyway, go figure.)

Colorwash's Home