My ebook is being illegally sold on eBay...any suggestions?

by Rachel Incoll

Posted: 15 years ago 25 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Just received an email from someone saying they had bought a copy of my ebook on eBay and didn't receive their login details so were wondering if I could send them through.

...the thing is, I DON'T sell my ebook on eBay. Fortunately though, they provided me with the ID of the eBay seller who sold them my ebook. At the moment, I'm not too fussed as I'm pretty sure it's one of the eBook Pro versions (I distribute it mainly in eBook Pro but sometimes PDF) they're selling which allows a limited number of regos.

What's the best way to deal with this, as I would like to nip it in the bud asap...I definitely won't be distributing any PDF versions of the ebook until this is resolved.

I don't really trust eBay and their copyright policies - I had someone completely rip off an eBay guide I wrote years ago and eBay said they couldn't see ANY similarities between the 2 and weren't going to do anything about it, but I could join their VeRO program if I wanted to

. That's the biggest load of rubbish I've heard anywhere.

I guess my options are:

1. Contact eBay and try to get the seller suspended.
2. Contact the seller myself and threaten legal action.
3. Buy a copy of 'my ebook' on eBay first (using a different address/name) which will give me the seller's name and details, then either contact them directly or eBay.

Any suggestions ???

Thanks

Rachel

#ebayany #ebook #illegally #sold #suggestions

Frank Donovan 15 years ago

Hi Rachel

Are you sure it was actually purchased from eBay?

I only ask because, unless it was via a classified ad, eBay don't allow the sale of digital products any more.

If you can establish that the offer was indeed made through eBay, I would definitely contact them with as much evidence as you have.

In my experience, eBay are very hot on the subject of copyright violation.

Good luck.

Frank
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Craig McPherson 15 years ago

Hee hee
Sorry Rach,

it reminds me of the time someone was selling a product of mine illegally on ebay.
He was even hotlinking to my site for the graphics.
I found a very, very naughty picture and replaced the one he was using with this. It was on his ebay ad for 4 days before it was pulled.

In the end I emailed him thru ebay, explained what he was doing was wrong and he pulled it down.

Craig
ps: This was before I had heard about viral marketing)
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Bryan Toder 15 years ago

It's against their TOS. Just contact eBay and they'll remove the auction and contact the seller.
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Eric X Vignola 15 years ago

go through the proper channels you can always contact the seller directly and make sure he knows his rights for the product he bought
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Sheryl Polomka 15 years ago

Contact the seller. I had this happen to me once and I contacted the seller and told him that I was the writer of that ebook and he is selling it illegally. I told him that if he didn't remove it immediately that I would take further action against him.

He removed it straight away, so thankfully I didn't have to take things any further. Chances are if you contact them and just give the threat of taking things further, they will likely stop selling it.

Sheryl
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callmestrip 15 years ago

I am getting so frustrated with selling digital products that I am considering going BACK to aff. marketing.

There has to be something done about the security for digital products.

I really wish there a was website that offered a service where the headline reads..

" ONLY THE PERSON THAT BUYS YOUR STUFF CAN READ/VIEW IT. IF THEY TRY TO SHARE IT, THEIR COMP. BLOWS UP AND LEGAL ACTION IS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY...AUTOMATICALLY!

We need seller protection too. I am just now starting to see how big of a nightmare all of this is. Technically, everyone can buy your product, download it, and get a refund right away!

The only money you will earn is from good/honest people that actually appreciate the help.
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Rachel Incoll

15 years ago

Frank, yes it's being sold on eBay on a CD - I've found the listing and put a watch on it in case I decide to 'buy' a copy later today. I really would like to find out the name of the person who's doing it.

Craig, that's a brilliant idea

, I only wish they were actually using my graphics!

I double checked the email the person sent to me about their login details and they asked for the username AND password so it's definitely the eBook Pro version that's being sold - if it was the PDF they'd only need the password. They'll fall down soon enough when the regos run out (only 4 allowed) but I would like to get them in trouble with eBay too

.

Should I send a set of login details to the person who purchased it on eBay?

They weren't to know it was illegal and I'm also glad they contacted me to ask for a login and not the seller, otherwise I wouldn't have known. This would then give me a chance to deal with the issue (probably contact the seller myself) without having them run off to the seller today hassling him for a login and saying they'd emailed me (which I'd rather the seller didn't know).

Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated!

Rachel

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Frank Donovan

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Rachel Incoll

OK, I see. I was just wondering why they needed the login details. I suppose they want to download a digital copy before they receive the CD?

If that's the case, I would give them access, but ensure the eBook was peppered with my own product and/or affiliate links - in fact, if your original eBook already has your own links embedded, at least this illegal seller is virally distributing them for you

Frank

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Rachel Incoll 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Donovan

OK, I see. I was just wondering why they needed the login details. I suppose they want to download a digital copy before they receive the CD?

With eBook Pro, it doesn't matter how they obtain the file - download or CD - it will still require you to register it before it can be used on any new computer.

Cheers

Rachel
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callmestrip 15 years ago

I was over at Black Hat World for some stupid reason and I noticed that everyone just shares all of the products.

lol.. they "group buy" the products and share them with everyone.

unbelievable, you can get the whole "niche blueprint course" over there. I saw several "WSO's" being posted in there aswell.

I'm not saying that's awesome.. I am saying that sucks.
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callmestrip 15 years ago

Sorry Rachel, I am not helping solve your issue. I am just venting out frustration because I am in the same dilemma.
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- Rachel Incoll 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by callmestrip
  
  Sorry Rachel, I am not helping solve your issue. I am just venting out frustration because I am in the same dilemma.
  
  No worries...I understand your frustrations completely!
  
  Thanks
  
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AlexKaplo 15 years ago

Hey there Rachel,

If you are the owner of your ebook than you can fax eBay a Intellectual Property Claim (VeRO). I get responses usually in about 2 to 3 hours.

Here's the link:
How eBay Protects Intellectual Property (VeRO)

You will have to download a .pdf file, print it, fill out the information, and fax it to them.

Let me know if you need anything at all Rachel!

Alex Kaplo
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Andy Fletcher 15 years ago

Although you might feel better for taking action against people like this you'll rarely achieve anything and even if you do it'll just be the delisting of one auction. If you sell digital products people are going to pirate them (hell if Microsoft can't figure out how to stop it what hope do the rest of us have?).

I'm not saying its a good thing but I'd advise anyone not to waste their time chasing it. Ignore them and focus your efforts on building more products and making more money. Sure, those will be ripped off too but there are plenty of honest people who will pay a fair price for a fair product and you'll get a far better return for the time you invest.
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Piree 15 years ago

I'd suggest on ur next ebook u put a huge copyright sticker at the top and make ppl scare by saying you will take illegal sellers to court...
This will prevent noobs from sharing it
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Rachel Incoll 15 years ago

Thanks for all your input guys...much appreciated.

I just 'purchased' a copy of my ebook on eBay (not using my real name/details of course ) to find out the name of the person who's selling it, which I think was worth it (though I don't intend paying for it). Now that I have their name I've been able to make a note of it in my system, blacklist their email address, reduce the available regos left on their ebook, & remove them from the list to receive updates every 3 months (they actually purchased 12 months ago).

I'll now contact them on eBay and ask them to remove the listing and see what happens!

...actually, I could just not bother, and wait until they have a whole heap of unhappy eBay customers who can't access their purchase .

Rachel
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- seemar49 15 years ago
  
  I had a similar thing someone copying one of my dvd products. Contacted vero, filled in the forms and faxed them and heard nothing. I ended up contacting the seller and threatning legal action. That was enough to stop them. I do keep them in my favorite sellers list to keep a check though and do a few searches on a regular basis.
  
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  innocent07 Banned 15 years ago
  
  Pirate ebook selling/ other people selling your ebook illegally is going to happen no matter what measures you take,
  
  I would just accept it and get over it,
  
  LETS FACE IT: YOU CANNOT WATCH OVER THE WHOLE OF THE INTERNET 27/7 JUST TO SEE IF SOME PEOPLE ARE DISTRIBUTING YOUR EBOOK ILLEGALLY?
  
  (actually you can stay on the internet 24/7 but who has the time or commitment?)
  
  Just accept it and get over it
  
  Thanks
  
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cjdcool 15 years ago

Contact eBay and try to get the seller suspended.

Just try it, but not sure they will do that for you if the seller is a power seller.
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- innocent07 Banned 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by cjdcool
  
  Contact eBay and try to get the seller suspended.
  
  Just try it, but not sure they will do that for you if the seller is a power seller.
  
  Ebay get so many emails daily/ hourly infact that you might be waiting a while for a reply from them.
  
  But try anyway, no harm in trying.
  
  Thanks
  
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Robbin 15 years ago

This has happened to me many times. The first thing is contact the seller and try to handle it in a civil manner. Sometimes, they buy things thinking they have resell rights because someone else sold it to them that way.

As far as the person who bought from them and contacted you for the login information. They are the innocent victim. Give them the login info - it's a digital product, you're not out any cash - plus they helped you by telling you about it. Normally, when this happens to me - I usually give them what they paid for and sometimes something a little extra. Keep people happy and they will remember and come back and buy from you again.

If you have a digital product online - someone is going to try to cash in on it. I'm sure it happens much more than we ever find out about.

Regards,
Robbin K Tungett
Online Auction Experts
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Rachel Incoll

15 years ago

Just quick update....

I sent the login details to the person who bought it on eBay this morning and explained the situation to them - told them it was an illegal copy and I'd be contacting the person they purchased it from.

I was still considering whether or not to contact the seller straight away or wait a few days until they had several unhappy customers who couldn't access the ebook and then contact him. I checked on the listing this arvo only to find that it had been ended early by the seller.

I suspect the person who contacted me sent the seller a message about them selling them an illegal copy.

I'll keep an eye on the seller and make sure they don't try it again but it looks like they might have got the message.

Thanks

Rachel

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Suthan M

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Rachel Incoll

if i were you, i would provide access for any other customers who bought an illegal copy. Ask them to do a chargeback, and provide them a dicsount code so they can rebuy from you legally.

That way, that guy will get into loads of trouble with Paypal, and he will
know its not worth selling a pirated program

Go heavy on this

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cscarpero 15 years ago

One time I was offered a pirated version of a product that was put out by a very well known marketer. I know the marketer, so I emailed him to let him know about it.

His reaction was, "oh well, too much hassle to do anything about it"

I think it pretty much happens to everybody.
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dsmpublishing 15 years ago

Hi Rachel

I had a problem similar to yours whilst i was still selling on ebay. After complaining to ebay i joined the vero program and faxed them my details and the listing was removed straightaway. The seller then did it again and i complained again and this time they were suspended for 6 months and never did it again!
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My ebook is being illegally sold on eBay...any suggestions?

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